WINDSOR, VT
Ronald J. Hamel, Sr., 85, a longtime resident of Windsor, passed away Saturday morning, August 24 at the Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor.
He was born December 4, 1927 in Claremont, NH the son of John W. and Flora C. (Thibeault) Hamel. He received his schooling in Windsor and graduated from Windsor High School in 1945. He attended the University of Vermont. He was a veteran of the US Army serving during peacetime. Following his honorable discharge in 1947, he worked with his father at the family grocery store, Boston Cash Market on River Street in Windsor. He married Madelyne L. Chabot in Cornish, NH on November 25, 1951. In January of 1963 he took over the family business and later owned and operated Hamel's IGA on Main Street in Windsor for several years until 1976. He remained in the grocery business until his retirement in 1992. Madelyne passed away on September 4, 1998. He married Dorothy DiNunzio in Windsor on April 10, 1999.
Ron was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Windsor where he was a fourth degree member and past Grand Knight of the Father Fontaine Council of the Knights of Columbus, and served as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. He was also a member of the Windsor American Legion Post #25 and had volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program in Windsor. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the New York Yankees, the New England Patriots and the New York Knicks. He was fond of reading and watching westerns and playing cards. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
He was also predeceased by his parents and one sister, Brenda J. Bruce in 2006.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Hamel of Windsor, three sons, Ronald J. Hamel, Jr. and his wife, Cherie of Windsor, John F. Hamel and his husband, James of Cranston, RI and Daniel J. Hamel and his wife, Jennifer of Hartland, VT, two daughters, Rhonda VanHise of Windsor and Lori Sandefur and her husband, Patrick of Burlington, CT, two stepsons, Craig Myotte of Morrisville, VT and Vincent DiNunzio of West Chesterfield, CA, three stepdaughters, Linda Bushway and her husband, Robert of Westminster, VT, Sheila Myotte and her significant other, Douglas Leonard of Woodstock, VT and Donna DiNunzio of Phoenix, AZ, several grandchildren and several great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, August 27, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, August 28 at 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Windsor. The Rev. Thomas Mosher, Pastor, will be the Celebrant. Committal services with military honors will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow at the church hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church at PO Box 46, Windsor, VT 05089 or to the Vermont Alzheimer's Association at 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495.