AMESBURY, Mass. – Normand H. Hamel, 85, formerly of 181 Whitehall Rd., Amesbury, Mass., died peacefully on June 11, 2006, at Country Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Home with his family by his side. He was the loving husband of Mary (Wilson) Hamel with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. Born in Newburyport, Mass., Jan. 10, 1921, he was the son of the late Donat and Celanire (Beland) Hamel. He graduated from Sacred Heart Grammar School and Amesbury High School, Class of 1940 where he was a star varsity quarterback. During World War II he served as a pilot of patrol bombers in the U.S. Navy. After his discharge he flew jets for the New Hampshire National Guard. While serving in the Navy, he attended numerous naval training programs at colleges throughout the country For 18 years he lived and worked in Manchester, N.H. as head auto body repairman at Hamel Auto Body. In 1962 he became the proprietor of Barcelow Auto Body in Amesbury where, in addition to collision repair, he took pride in the restoration of antique automobiles. Normand was also a trustee at The Provident Bank in Amesbury from 1971-1996 and chairman of the board from 1995-1996. He generously gave of his time and talents to his community. He was a Boy Scout leader, a member of the Lions Club and Holy Name Society, a Little League coach, and an avid sports fan. He enjoyed all professional sports teams and was an enthusiastic supporter of local sports teams as well, particularly when the sports involved his family. Among his hobbies were fishing, playing bridge, walking, camping, tinsmithing, and woodworking. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Beverly and Dick Peeke of Amesbury and Barbara and Lee Knapp of South Hampton, N.H.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Gail (Babine) Hamel of Presques Isle and Bradley and Sherri (Kulback) Hamel of Hampton, N.H.; one brother, Edmond Hamel of Fort Pierce, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Stefanie (Flanagan) Peeke, Derek and Bryan Peeke, Erica and Emily Knapp, Natalie, Abigail, and Molly Hamel, and Grant and Andrew Hamel; five great-grandchildren, Zachary and Jacob Flanagan, Evan and Jacqueline Peeke, and Caden Peeke; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Albert and Edward Hamel, Leah (Hamel) Pare, and Albertine (Hamel) Chevalier. A celebration of his life will be held 10 a.m. Saturday June 17, at a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Friend Street, Amesbury. Interment will be after at Union Cemetery, Amesbury. Calling hours will precede the Mass on Saturday 8:30-9:45 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Amesbury. By request of the family, there will be no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to All Sports Boosters, A.H.S., care of Unified Credit Union, P.O. Box 51, Amesbury, MA 01913 or Country Manor Nursing Home (Checks made payable to CRNC – Reflections Unit), 180 Low St., Newburyport, MA., 01950. The family expresses deep appreciation to the staff of Country Manor for the loving kindness shown to Normand during the five years that Country Manor was his home. Funeral arrangements under the direction of E.V. Jutras & Sons Funeral Home, 118 Friend St., Amesbury.
NORMAND H. HAMEL
