Roland A. Hammond

HAMMOND, ROLAND A., 86, formerly of William Ellery Place, Providence, died on Monday, November 3, 2008 at the home of his niece, Paula Duffy, in Warwick.

Born in Providence, a son of the late William R. and Maude (O'Gara) Hammond, he was a life-long Providence resident. He was a graduate of Central Evening High School, and Pasadena College, California.

Mr. Hammond was an Army veteran of World War II, and served with the 83rd Coastal Artillery, Fort Rosecrans, San Diego, CA, and with the 104th Calvary Reconnaissance Division, Camp Polk, Louisiana. He also had duties as a secretary with the Army/Navy Liaison Commander, San Diego, California 12th Naval District. He was a recipient of the Soldiers' Medal for Meritorious Service, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Hammond was a member of the Central Radio Workshop, a popular radio show on the former WJAR from 1937-1939, where he specialized in dialect parts. He was also a writer with published articles in the Providence Sunday Journal, the children's magazine 'Cricket,' 'Little Peoples Books,' 'Yankee Magazine,' and 'The Golden Comet.' He was the author of a book of poetry, 'Thoughtdrifts,' in 1986. He also wrote verse for greeting card companies. He was a recipient of the 'Huntington Golden Poetry Award' for his poem 'The Soul's Journeying' in 1988.

Mr. Hammond worked for many years for the Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. as office manager and payroll consultant. He last worked for the former Outlet Department Store as a salesman. He was the author of 'The House at Brushneck Cove,' a mystery novel with a New England setting.

He is survived by two brothers, William Hammond of Coventry and Donald Hammond of Smithfield; two sisters, Vi Paulin and Shirley Grimes, both of Warwick; and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Adeline McLaughlin, Dorothy Cairns, and Florence Miller.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, November 6, at 8:45 a.m. from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Ss. Peter & Paul, Cathedral Square, Providence. Visiting hours are Wednesday 5-8 p.m. Burial with military honors will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 169 George St., Pawtucket, RI 02860.