Robert Henry Joseph Hamel

Robert Henry Joseph Hamel, aged 70 years of Moose Jaw, SK, passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 31st, 2011. Bob was born June 19th, 1941 in Moose Jaw to Theresa and Henry Hamel. He was the eldest of seven children. Bob grew up in the Moose Jaw area and in 1964 he met and married Betty Jean Lightle. Bob was a self taught man. If he didn’t know how to do something, he practiced it over and over until he knew it perfectly. Bob worked for many years in the carpentry field. He built a number of homes including his own. Later, Bob took up plumbing and became a plumber/pipefitter for the Department of National Defense in Moose Jaw, where he stayed until he retired. After the passing of Betty in 2007, Bob met and fell in love with his partner and fiancée, Mary McKenzie. Bob loved spending time in his yard and was always working on some home improvement project around the house. In retirement, Bob spent much of his spare time with Mary enjoying a cup of coffee at Tim Hortons with one of his many coffee friends or son Todd. Bob was a kind and generous man who was always there to lend a hand, whether it was doing some plumbing work, shoveling a sidewalk or fixing a dishwasher – he was always eager to help. Predeceased by his parents, Theresa and Henry; and his wife, Betty, Bob is survived by his children, Wendy and Todd; partner, Mary and her daughters Maria and Crystal (Wayne); granddaughters, Shyra (Kyle) and Kelsey (Mike); great-granddaughter, Araiya; brothers: Albert, Gilbert (Susan), Paul (Sandi), Perry (Terri) and Johny (Tracy); sister, Diane (Denis) Jocelyn; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many friends and coffee buddies. A Funeral Service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery at a later date. A Time of Visitation for Family and Friends will be held on Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Many thanks to the EMS and Moose Jaw Union Hospital Staff. Donations in Bob’s name may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Assoc., 650 Coteau St. W., Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5E6 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Sask., 279 3rd Ave. N., Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8.