Michael Hammond

Michael "Mike" Hammond, aged 55, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 17, 2024, two months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

He was a gentle soul, beloved by all who knew him well. As a child, he loved rolling in the mud, playing his guitar, and hanging out with the neighborhood 'bike gang' from New Albany School. He graduated from Cinnaminson High School in 1987, earning varsity letters in both Cross Country Track and Wrestling.

As an adult, Mike loved to play pool and frequent local diners. Some of his closest friendships were formed at The Tankard in Burlington, NJ. Very recently, he was thrilled to reconnect with many old friends at the CHS Class of 1987 reunion.

All this despite the fact that while in his sophomore year at Clemson University's Architectural Program, Mike developed schizophrenia, which profoundly affected the rest of his life. Early symptoms included 'hearing voices' and suicidal thoughts that resulted in multiple hospitalizations. Thankfully, over the last two decades, Mike benefited from newer medications that were significantly more effective and ended his need for occasional in-patient psychiatric care.

Mike's life is a testament to the importance of early recognition and treatment of schizophrenia, which most often first appears in high school and college-aged kids. Recent studies show that those treated with modern medications within the first year of symptoms often go on to lead normal lives. It is essential that high school students are taught to recognize the early symptoms of schizophrenia (in both themselves and others) and how to respond.

New Jersey NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has a wonderful, age-appropriate program called "Ending the Silence" that they are happy to present for free at any high school that makes a request. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to NJ NAMI so that NAMI can continue providing these life-saving presentations to our high school students. Today, early diagnosis provides the very best chance for those suffering from schizophrenia to have a normal life.

Mike is survived by his parents, Pat and Ed Hammond, his sisters Janet and Linda, brothers-in-law Taylor and Scott, 7 nieces and nephews, and fun-loving Uncle Bob.

NJ NAMI donations - https://naminj.org/donation/