Raymond Peter Hamel

Milford Raymond P. Hamel Sr., 88, passed away at home on August 9, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 21, 1930, in Milford, son of the late Joseph A. and Elgie W. (Kelly) Hamel. Raymond was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Esther (Burr) Hamel. He is survived by his seven children, Deborah Hamel of Lincoln; Janice Bacon of Milford; Patricia McCarver and her husband, Glenn, of Clarksville, TN; Raymond Peter Hamel, Jr. and his partner, Barbara Foster, of Milford; Warren Hamel of Milford; Gail Agrell and her husband, Ralph, of Milford; and Carol Hamel, of Milford; and his grandchildren, Jeromy Hamel, Samantha Hamel, Garrett Agrell, and Byron Agrell, as well as his great-grandchildren, Noah Hamel, Abigail Hamel, Alexis Hamel, Joshua Doucette, Maddison Doucette, and Harper Agrell, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a sister, Ella Rackliff, and a brother, David Hamel, both of Milford. He was predeceased by his brothers, Alfred, Arthur Edward, Arthur Otis, James, and Joseph C., and his sisters Beatrice, Frances, and Mary.

Raymond was a long time employee of James River Corp. until he retired in 1988. Raymond greatly enjoyed carpentry and worked on many buildings over the years. He was a Korean War veteran in the Marine Corps. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars and the Knights of Columbus.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Raymond's caregivers, Theresa Mitsch and Heidi Gardner, for their outstanding care; their appreciation to Dr. Christopher Ritter and his staff, and EMHS VNA Home Health Hospice for their support; and gratitude to Ann Delaware for her spiritual visits.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 - 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town, ME, where members of the Knights of Columbus will recite prayers at 4:30 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at Parish of the Resurrection, Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street, Old Town, with Father Bill Labbe celebrant. Interment with military honors at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Old Town, will follow after the service. The family invites relatives and friends to share memories and refreshments at the parish hall. Memorial contributions may be made to the Toys for Tots at www.toysfortots.org