Robert A. "Zeke" Hammond

HOPEDALE Robert A. "Zeke" Hammond, 87, of Hopedale, died Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, at Blaire House in Milford. He was the husband of Hilda (Carron) Hammond, who died in 2001. Mr. Hammond was born in Hopedale, in March of 1921, the son of the late Leon R. and Flora (Messinger) Hammond, and was a graduate of Hopedale High School, Class of 1942. A proud third generation and lifelong resident of Hopedale, Mr. Hammond was a full-time firefighter and ladder truck driver with the Town of Hopedale Fire Department for 30 years. Previously, he had been employed at the former Draper Corporation in Hopedale for eight years in the outside maintenance division. Mr. Hammond was the superintendent of the Hopedale Village Cemetery for more than 30 years, and the superintendent of the South Hopedale Cemetery for several years. He was a past chairman and longtime member of the Hopedale Council on Aging and was active with the Board of Registrars. "Zeke" was well versed and a frequent lecturer on the history of the Town of Hopedale throughout the community and was also active at the Hopedale Community House. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Hammond served in the U.S. Army and was the Past Commander of the former Walter Tillotson Post, American Legion Post #267 of Hopedale. Mr. Hammond is survived by several nieces and nephews; cousins; and his sister-in-law, Helen Hammond of Hopedale. He is predeceased by two brothers, Freeman L. Hammond and Lowell K. Hammond, who was the first casualty of World War II from the town of Hopedale. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m., at the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home (www.bumafuneralhome.com), 42 Congress St., Milford. Visiting hours are Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 9 to 11 a.m., prior to the funeral service, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Hopedale Village Cemetery in Hopedale. Memorial donations may be made to the Hopedale Council on Aging, c/o Community House, Hope Street, Hopedale, MA 01747.