Harry Hamer, 89, of New Bedford, died on Friday May 27, 2016 at Alden Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by his family. He was the widower of Dolores (Braz) Hamer.
Born in Fairhaven, the son of the late Herbert and Jennie Hamer, Harry graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1944.
At age 17, he joined the Army Air Forces to serve in World War II as a Flight Mechanic and Tech 5 for B-29 Bombers in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. After the war, he worked for the New York-New Haven Railroad, the New York Central Railroad, and the Pennsylvania Railroad until he left to join the New Bedford Fire Department, where he served for 29 years before retiring in 1990 as a Lieutenant.
Every summer for 50 years, you could find Harry fishing on his beloved boat, the Honey-B. He loved listening to music and dancing. He was passionate about working out at the gym and watching the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, especially when they were winning.
Harry enjoyed spending his winters in Largo, Florida for 30 years. He was a proud member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7 in New Bedford. Harry was most happy when spending time with his loving family and close friends.
Harry was the father of the late Harry "Skip" Hamer, Jr. He is survived by two daughters, Jayne Ferguson and her husband Tom of Rochester and Kim Snyder of Dexter, MI; five grandchildren, Rory Ferguson and his wife Jenn, Troy Ferguson, Ross Ferguson, Hilary Snyder, and Alyssa Snyder; two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Callie Ferguson; his longtime companion, Theresa Dufresne of New Bedford; his sister, Lillian Nicolace and his daughter in law, Elizabeth Hamer, both of Florida; along with nieces and nephews.
Harry's family would like to thank the staff at Alden Court for their compassion, support and dedication toward his well-being during his last two months.
His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 11 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial with military honors will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-7 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.