Thomas Hammel

September 18, 1969 ~ August 10, 2022

As the last star was fading into the light in the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 10, 2022, Thomas Robert Hammel passed away at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat, AB., at the age of 52 years. Tom touched the hearts of everyone he knew by making them feel important in his own special way. Each of us will remember and celebrate his life with both a tear and a smile. Tom was born on September 18, 1969, in the Cabri Hospital. As a child he had no fear and was often seen riding a bicycle or later, a dirt bike and would catch everyone’s attention as he preferred to ride on one wheel! He was a dare devil and became known as “Uncle Danger” and now as “Grandpa Danger”. Tom’s parents owned and operated the Hammel Store in Abbey, SK., in which the Hammel children all “did time”. Tom began working at the store at a very young age and would always greet the customers with a happy face and they would get a chuckle out of watching him try to reach the till. He was grateful for his time in the store and attributed his life skills to working there in those early years. After high school, he followed his brother-in-law to Medicine Hat and started his floor installation career. Tom was very talented at everything that he did and he explored many different career paths, some of which included, farming, backhoe operating and landscaping. Tom’s pride and joy was his daughter, Jessica (whom he referred to as “Bird”), who entered his life in September of 1998. He shared much of his knowledge and expertise with her in their time together. Tom was always proud to adjust her golf swing, help her learn to sing a new song, or just share some words of wisdom to guide her through a bad day. Tom’s love for music carried him throughout his whole life. He began playing guitar and drums at a young age and was soon playing in live bands. Tom’s passion for music had a positive influence on others who loved to watch him play. Tom took pleasure in the simple things in life and always had the utmost positivity… he took life in stride and was always ready to enjoy a beer or two with his family and friends. He was a natural at any sport he tried – hockey, golf, baseball and skiing were some of his favorites. The family farm was important to Tom which he referred to it as his “Little Mexico”. Many hours were spent enjoying bonfires, skeet shooting, riding sleds and spending time with his family. More recently, he could be found tending his lawn, watching SportsCenter in his garage, spending quality time with his fiancée, Heather, and proudly playing trucks with his grandson, Kasher. Tom is survived by his fiancée, Heather; daughter, Jessica (Keagan) and grandchildren, Brantley, Kasher and Kassidy; mother, Bertha; brothers, Lloyd (Jamie) and Bill (Lissa) and sister, Sandra (Larry); his nieces and nephews, Teela (Matt), Tristan, Devyn, Destiny (Trey), Ashley and Taylor; great-nephews, Dylon, Liam, Tatum and Steele including his countless friends and co-workers. He was predeceased by his father, Meinrad. A special thank you to Heather and to the doctors and staff who helped Tom and his family through this difficult battle. With much gratitude to the staff at St. Joseph’s Home-Carmel Hospice for making his final days comfortable. A Come and Go Celebration of Life to share memories and stories of Tom, will be held at Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, Fireside Room, 2055 – 21 Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, on Friday, September 16, 2022, starting at 3:00 p.m. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Tom’s memory may be made to the Children’s Wish Foundation, 39 Somerset Dale S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 0C9. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility.

• Date : 2022-08-10
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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