Photo courtesy of William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York
Jan 12, 1946 – Aug 14, 2025
Saratoga Springs, NY – Edwin H. Hammond, Jr., passed away on Thursday (Aug.14,2025) at the Gateway House of Peace.
Born on Jan. 12, 1946 in Poughkeepsie, NY, the second son of the late Edwin H. and Anna C. (Roda) Hammond of Wassaic, NY. Raised and educated in the town of Amenia, he graduated from Webutuck Central High School in 1963. While in high school, he participated in the drama club and served as a manager for the basketball team. He went to Marist College in Poughkeepsie in 1963. He became active in the Student Government as a class representative and eventually became the Attorney General of the government writing a new constitution for the organization. Ed was inducted into the Mu Zeta chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, an international honors society for history. He graduated cum laude from Marist with a degree in European History in 1967. He earned his Master’s degree in European History from Siena College in 1969 after completing an inter-institutional program at both Siena and the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. He completed post-graduate course work at the College of St. Rose, earning a NYS teaching certification in Social Studies as well as NYS Administrative Certification.
Mr. Hammond began his teaching career with the Diocese of Albany at St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Catskill, NY in 1968. In 1972 he moved to St. Patrick’s Central Catholic High School in Catskill as a guidance counselor, teacher and basketball coach. He was named Principal of St. Patrick’s in January of 1985, remaining there until the high school division was closed in 1988. He then was appointed Principal of Saratoga Central Catholic High School in 1988. During his tenure, Saratoga Catholic adding a junior high program, increased the number of academic and athletic offerings and developed award winning campus ministry and community service programs. He served on numerous committees during his years in the Diocese. He also served on the Executive Board of the Catholic School Administrators Association of New York State. Ed received the Outstanding Principal Award from the Diocesan Office of Prevention in 1996 and the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Distinguished Principal Award from the Albany Diocese in 1999. Inducted into the Saratoga Central Catholic Hall of Fame in June, 2005, he received the Msgr. Daniel R. Burns Lifetime Achievement Award. .Following retirement in 2005, he continued following Saratoga Catholic’s sports programs, plays and performances. A golf enthusiast, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Golf league and Brookhaven Golf Club. A communicant and active parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church, he served on several committees and was a former Trustee of the parish.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother William Hammond in 2015.
A lifelong bachelor, Mr. Hammond is survived by his sister-in-law, Diane Hammond; a nephew, Gregory Hammond of Canton, GA and niece Regina Hammond of California, as well as many cousins and godchildren.
Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm Tuesday (Aug. 19, 2025) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be con-celebrated at 9am Wednesday (Aug.20) in St. Joseph’s Church, 3159 Route 9N, Greenfield Center. Burial will be in the family plot in North Granville Cemetery, Granville, NY
Memorials may be made in his name to Saratoga Central Catholic Jr. Sr. High School, 247 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to St. Joseph’s Church, 3159 Route 9N, Greenfield Center, NY 12833.
Read MoreMr. Hammond made a lasting impact on Catholic Education at St. Patrick's in Catskill. I will remember him at Mass tomorrow. May he rest in peace. Fr. John Moyna
Rev. John L. Moyna
August 17, 2025 | School
Mr. Hammond, as all his St Pats students knew him, was a great teacher and personal friend to me and my family. Throughout my life he supported me and my family. He was a good soul. I last saw him at my father's funeral in Catskill a few years. He came from Saratoga to pay his respects. I greatly appreciated it, and I'm sure my father who played Pinocle and bowled with him, wished he could play one more hand of cards.
Anthony (AR) Burger
August 17, 2025 | New Castle, PA | Friend
Sorry to hear about Edwin's passing. We really enjoyed our visits with him. He will be missed. Kathi and Dennis
Kathi and Dennis McCarthy
August 17, 2025 | Cape Vincent, NY | Friend
Deepest sympathy to family and friends. I attended St. Patrick's in Catskill, NY (grades 7-12) where Mr. Hammond was my history teacher and guidance counselor. He was stern and yet caring and earned the respect of every student who attended. He was a great teacher, guidance counselor, and junior high basketball coach who helped shape the lives of so many people. Forever grateful.
Mary (Englert) Johannessen
August 16, 2025 | Melbourne, FL | Student
Mr. Hammond was my guidance counselor at St. Pat’s in Catskill. He was always a dedicated educator and helped many students prepare for life beyond St. Pat’s. He encouraged me to go to his alma mater, Marist College, along with several other classmates. I appreciated his wry sense of humor and his dedication to the field of education. Condolences to his family and friends. A good man who touched countless lives.
Mark Del Vecchio
August 16, 2025 | Lagrangeville, NY | Friend
I taught with Ed in a turbulent period at St Patrick’s Catskill NY. Ed was calm and steady in difficult period. He was a walking institution of care and compassion .He guided many high school students!
I shall offer Mass for Ed. May he go with the angels
Father John P Rosson
Teacher Colleague
John P Rosson
August 16, 2025 | Bethlehem, NH | Coworker
I worked with Ed at the St.Patrick’s Catholic High school, he was the principal,at that time.Ed was a good and decent man.Every Christmas without fail,came a Christmas card from Edeven when I stopped sending holiday cards out! RIP Mr.Hammond
Sandy Friend
August 16, 2025 | Westport, MA | Coworker
Mr. Hammond was a very large part of my life growing up. I was a student at St. Patrick's when he began his teaching career. When I would struggle with a written test he would take me to Dairy Queen and give me the test verbally because he had faith that I knew the material - after all he had taught it to me.
He was my guidance and history teacher in high school and while he could be firm to keep this high school student in line he was also a friend. He never missed any sporting...
Kevin Buno
August 16, 2025 | Wallingford, CT | Student
Lake George 2017
Mr. Hammond meant everything to me. He was my Junior High, JV Basketball and Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach, Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Principal, but best of all, my Godfather. Growing up in a single parent home without a Dad he was always there for me and my family and was an excellent role model along the way. When my Grades were only "decent" in HS, he found an EOP program available to me that helped me get into SUNY Cortland to pursue a Physical Education Teaching Degree. I'm...
John Hillenbrand
August 16, 2025 | Ashburn, VA | Friend
