Henry Hammond

WORCESTER – Henry H. Hammond passed away at UMass Hospital on May 22, 2019, following a brief illness. At the time of his death he was living in West Boylston.

Henry was born on April 7th, 1949, growing up in Worcester at 8 Wabash Street, attended Doherty High School where he excelled in both academics and music, graduating with honors in 1967. He went on to Clark University with a scholarship and continued success, graduating in 1971. He traveled to Springfield, Vermont, and began a long and fruitful career as a high school English teacher. He also was a girls’ softball coach and umpire; an experience he cherished.

In Vermont he began a second career as a local musician proficient in many genres, from blue grass to classical. He was accomplished on the violin, mandolin, banjo, and guitar as well as vocals. He played in local venues and gigs across the state. He loved the Green Mountain State, being the perfect place with its eclectic persona and natural beauty.

He returned to Worcester after 29 years, continuing his passion and commitment to educate, working as an assistant in the WPS Special Education Department then in an autism program. He later volunteered with Catholic Charities providing his teaching skills to adults seeking their GED’s as well as working one-on-one tutoring adults transitioning to English and the workplace.

Henry was a man of deep intellect matched only by his depths of kindness and good deeds. He was equally comfortable talking to a Worcester bus driver about the Bruins as he would a Holy Cross professor on some finer point of theology. His range of interests were broad and ever-changing, but defined passions were springer spaniels, languages, literature, and the Red Sox, always the Red Sox!

He leaves behind his brother James, sister-in-law Elaine of Attleboro, MA and nephew Aaron, his wife Alethea and great nephews Lucas and Tyler.

Calling hours will be Saturday, June 1, 2019, from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Paradis Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oxford.  In lieu of flowers, Henry’s family requests donations to help with expenses by clicking on the “Appeal for Donations” button on his obituary on the funeral home website below his photo.