Richard "Dicky" E. Hamel

Richard (aka Dicky) E. Hamel passed away peacefully with his family by his side Saturday, August 6, 2022. He was born in Holyoke, a lifelong resident and the son of the late Edgar and Annette (Champagne) Hamel.  Richard was educated in Holyoke at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and was a graduate of the former Sacred Heart High School. After high school, Richard joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was a reservist for 8 years. He owned and operated Edgar’s Market as his lifelong career until it closed in 1992. Richard was then employed by the Holyoke School Department for many years until his retirement in 2003. He also worked at his son’s business Hamel’s Catering for many years. Richard was co-founder of HART Charitable Golf Tournament. He was a longtime member of the Holyoke Elks Club and Cercle Rochambeau. Richard was known for his deep commitment to his family, hard work ethic, generosity and sense of humor. In his spare time, he loved to golf with his brother Philip, brother-in-law Joe Partyka and many other friends. Richard loved to fish and spend time at the Hampton Ponds camp with family. Richard was at every birthday party for his grandchildren and he always made his family laugh. He loved to play cards, go to the dog races at Hinsdale and the Saratoga horse races. Family was an integral part of Richards life. He was always there to support his children and spent all of his holidays with his late Mom and Dad, sister Madeleine Partyka and brother Philip Hamel and their families. This created a lifelong bond between all of the families. Richard is survived by his wife Kathryn (Haller) Hamel, his children, son Michael Hamel and wife Brenda, his daughter Beth Lapointe and husband Edward, his son Matthew Hamel, and his son Gregory Hamel and wife Michelle. He leaves several grandchildren, Delaney Hamel, Kaitlyn Daysch, Sarah Daysch, Marissa Donato, Brooke Lembert, Edward Lapointe, Nicholas and Ian Hamel, Ella and Madeleine Hamel, three great grandchildren, Briella and Nico Donato; Amy Lempert, one sister Madeleine (Hamel) Partyka and her husband Joseph, and sister-in-law Barbara Hamel. He was pre-deceased by his brother Philip Hamel. He also leaves many loving nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to thank Chanda Care, Inc., Home Instead and Homewatch for all the care and compassion they provided to their Dad, especially Pam, Joanne, Kim, Linda, and Kylvi. Special thanks to the Holyoke VNA and Hospice specifically, Rita, Marisa, Sam, Melissa and Anne, and to the VA team for all their efforts to support and assist with home care needs- specifically, Heidi, Diane, Jess, and Maria. Heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Robert Byrne and staff for their strong support and dedication. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Dick on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:00 am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, South Hadley. Calling hours will be held Thursday, August 11th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Donations may be made in memory of Richard Hamel to the Holyoke Senior Center and Holyoke VNA and Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard "Dicky" E. Hamel, please visit our floral store.