Charles Albert Hamel, 89, of Newmarket, N.H., former longtime Haverhill resident, passed early Saturday morning, April 9,at The Pines of Newmarket, N.H., surrounded by his family. He was the husband of 65 years of Marjorie E. (Austin) Hamel, who passed at The Pines just five hours later on Saturday morning. As they journeyed their lives together, so also are they journeying together in their eternal life.
One of nine children of the late Napoleon and Clarabelle (Hanks) Hamel, he was born in Haverhill Feb. 6, 1927, and was a graduate of Haverhill High School as well as Wentworth Institute. He was a proud veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Navy from April 28, 1945 until his honorable discharge on July 25, 1946 with the rank of Seaman First Class. Coming home from the War, he became a firefighter with the Haverhill Fire Department, retiring in 1985 after 31 years of dedicated service to his community. He was a longtime member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 165 of Haverhill and a member of Saggahew Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Haverhill. In his spare time he enjoyed square dancing, camping and country music, but his greatest joy came from time spent with family and friends, especially being involved with all the activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He leaves behind two sons, Larrie Hamel and wife Denise of Raymond, N.H., and Dana Hamel of Las Vegas; two daughters, Dawna Osborne of Bradford and Lisa Hamel of Raymond, N.H.; six grandchildren, Jennifer, Jacqueline, Stephanie, Richard, Shannon and Matthew; three great-grandchildren, Ryder, Kiera and Riley; sister, Thelma Praiano; and numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his sisters, Eva Trahan, Emeline Berg, Louise Kouroyen and Jeannette Carlson, and his brothers, Edgar, Leroy and John Hamel.
Visiting hours for Charles and Marjorie will be Friday, April 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Monument Square Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family-Carnevale Funeral Home, 334 Main St., Haverhill. Their funeral services at the funeral home will be Saturday morning at 11, followed by burial in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Haverhill Firefighting Museum, 75 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830.