Dr. Gordon J. Hammond

MILFORD _ Dr. Gordon J. Hammond, 83, of Milford, died Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
Born June 19, 1925, on a farm in Colebrook, N.H., to Walter and Marion (Judd) Hammond, the family moved to Northville, where he graduated from high school in 1943.
In order to realize his dream of attaining a college education, Gordon worked for a year before attending Northeastern University in Boston. After his freshman year, and while continuing to work to support himself and his education, he transferred to Syracuse University, where he played football and graduated with a B.S. in business administration in 1950.
His first postgraduate position was as a business teacher at Middleburgh Central School (1951-1955). While in Middleburgh, he met, and on April 4, 1953, married Muriel (Horsman) in the Middleburgh United Methodist Church.
In 1955, they moved to Rhinebeck, where he worked as a junior/senior high school guidance counselor and as an administrative assistant. Later, he was employed as the head of the Guidance Department at Greenville Central School. He completed his master's in educational administration and accepted a position as the superintendent of the Jefferson Central School in 1959.
In 1962, Gordon moved his family to Milford following his appointment as superintendent/district principal of the Milford Central School, a position he held until his retirement in 1987. During those years he completed and received his doctorate in education. One of his proudest accomplishments as the Milford superintendent was overseeing the construction of a new school building _ the result of many years of planning, work and effort.
Gordon was very active in the Milford community as a member of the Milford Rotary (he was a Paul Harris Fellow _ the highest Rotary honor), the Milford United Methodist Church, the Milford Historical Society and the Susquehanna Valley Senior Citizens. He was also a member of Fish House Lodge 298 F.&A.M. in Northville, the American Association of School Superintendents, the New York State Council of School Superintendents, the Catskill Mountain Educational Corporation, where he served on its Board of Directors, Phi Delta Kappa, the New York State Retired Teachers Association, PTA and the Otsego Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
He and his wife, Muriel, were avid travelers, and they enjoyed traveling abroad and camping throughout much of this country _ including Alaska and Hawaii. Indeed, their love of travel encouraged them to volunteer to host three Rotary Exchange students in their home over the years.
During his spare time, Gordon loved gardening and woodworking, and he was an ardent fan and supporter of Syracuse University athletics and the N.Y. Yankees.
Gordon is survived by a sister, Thelma Hammond, of Northville; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Alan Springett, of Morris, and their children, Joshua, Erica and Alaina; a son and daughter-in-law, Walter and Michelle Hammond, of Black River, and their children, Kristen and Matthew; and a son, William C. Hammond, of Springfield, Mass.
Gordon was predeceased by his wife, Muriel, in June of 2007.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2009, at the Milford United Methodist Church with the Rev. Maryellen Moore, pastor, officiating. Committal and Masonic services in the Northville Cemetery, Northville, will follow the service.
Visiting hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2009, at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer St., Cooperstown.
The family suggests that those who so desire make contributions in Gordon's memory to the Milford United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 127, Milford, NY 13807.
Arrangements are under the supervision of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown and Milford.