Michael R. Hamel

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Sgt. Michael R. Hamel, 42, of Colorado Springs, formerly of Fitchburg, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, in Colorado Springs, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He graduated from Oakmont Regional High School in 1982. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell in 1992, and his doctorate from the Western New England College School of Law in 2002. He served in the United States Navy from 1982 until 1988, earning the rank of petty officer. He also was currently serving as a sergeant in the United States Army with B-Troop, 3-61 CAV, 2BCT, who are currently serving in Iraq. He served the city of Fitchburg as a parking meter maintenance officer from 1988 until 1990, and as a police officer from 1993 until 1999. He was also a Corrections Officer for the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department from 1990 until 1993, and then from 1999 until 2001.

He enjoyed Hampton Beach, numismatics, building models, concerts, hunting and fishing, movies -- especially the Three Stooges and B horror movies -- music from the 1970s and bluegrass. He especially loved the banjo.

He also enjoyed cigars, vintage port and fine wine, french roasted coffee, dark chocolate -- in which he overindulged -- and lots of international food. He would try any type of food as long as it didn’t have walnuts. He enjoyed computer games, scuba diving, trips to Foxwoods with Mitch, shopping, WWF Wrestling, the Boston Red Sox and napping.

He leaves his wife, who he married April 26, 2004, Lisa M. (Testa) Hamel of Colorado Springs, Colo., formerly of Leominster; his parents, Ronald J. and Jeannette “Janet” M. (Richard) Hamel of Englewood, Fla.; two children, Laura E. Hamel and Adam M. Hamel, both of Edmond, Okla.; a stepson, Keith M. Hier and his wife, Kristin (Richard) Hier, of Fitchburg; his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Brian Lynch of Charles City, Iowa; his mother-in-law, Fernande M. Roy of Leominster; his nephews, Benjamin, Zachary, and Samuel Lynch of Charles City, Iowa; his closest friend, John Mitchell Kelly of Leominster; his dog, Cookie; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his step daughter, Tara Lynn McGuire, on July 10, 2004; his two uncles, Robert R. Bianchin, on April 27, 2006, and Gerald J. Richard, on July 15, 2005.

HAMEL -- The memorial Mass will be held Friday, Jan. 5, at 10 a.m. in St. Francis Church, Sheridan St., Fitchburg. Burial will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Westminster. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 600, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg is directing arrangements.