- Fred L. Hammond, 58 of Cahoonzie, owner of Hammond's Auto Center, Port Jervis, died suddenly Tuesday [Oct 1, 1985] at Mercy Community Hospital. [sic] [he died at home) he was born in Binghamton, NY Oct 29 1926, the son of Maynard C and Lillian Lybolt Hammond, and lived in the Cahoonzie area for 52 years. Mr Hammond served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of Port Jervis Elks Lodge 645; Roosa-Fleming VFW post161 of Port Jervis; past captain of the Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Co. 1of Port Jervis; Mamakating Hunting Club; Tri-states Rod and Gun Club; Life member of the National Rifle Association and New York State Rifle and Pistol Association; and graduate of the Aeronautical School at LaGuardia Field. Surviving are his wife, Phyllis Van Dien Hammond, at home; a son Fred L Hammond of Danbury, CT; two daughters, Lee McVey of Utica, NY, and Marie Engels of Potsdam, NY; four brothers, Lt Col. John Hammond of Sparrowbush, [Rev] Robert A Hammond of Saratoga Springs, NY, George Hammond of Unionville, NY; a sister Alma Brereton of Morganton, NC; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Maynard C Hammond. Memorial Services will be Saturday at 2 PM in Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis, with the Rev Richard Coffill and the Rev Carlton Curtin Officiating. Cremation will be in Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh, NY. Some excerpts from Eulogy given by Rev Carlton Curtin: 'The symbols on the altar point to his life; the hat, the Bible, the flag, and the leaves. the flaming red ones remind us of Emerson's link of nature and god. the Vibrant green, matching the altar covering, remind usof life that continues. The red, the glory of nature, the end of life; the green, the strength of life that continues. It is the American Chestnut-- the green ones. A tree growing out of the remains of the giant trees that once covered this area; life growing out of death; life struggling back against disease and poison. The same chestnut that decorated Fred's boyhood home and warmed it in the firebox-- this day signals resurrection hope. '
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