Leo J. Hamel, 83, CWO 4-USArmy-Retired and US Marine Corps-World War II, Korean War Veteran and Vietnam War Veteran, of Zephyrhills, Fl funeral service is 11:00 AM, Monday, February 4, 2013 at New Hope Baptist Church, 3514 Allen Road, Zephyrhills, Florida 33541 with Pastor Don Walton, to officiate. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 AM until service time. Graveside services are 2:30 PM, Monday, February 4, 2013 at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida 33513 with Captain Arthur Nave and the Marion County Military Honor Guard and the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard, to officiate.
Leo passed away at his home on January 30, 2013. He was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts and moved to the local area from South Windsor, Connecticut where he was an athlete trained for Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Zephyrhills, Florida. He served our country in the United Marine Corps earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for enemy action in the Korean War. He enlisted in the US Army Reserve and served during the Vietnam War.
He is preceded in death by late brother, James (Pauline) Hamel of Harwich, Massachusetts; and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Leberta of Zephyrhills, Florida; a daughter, Debbie Hall and her husband, Bruce of Zephyrhills, Florida; his brother, Roger Hamel and his wife, Judith of St Mary’s, Georgia and Harwich, Massachusetts; his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had his great grandkids over every Friday evening. He was always commenting how happy he was that they loved to spend time with the old geezer.
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Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
I did not know your Marine (once; always), but I was on active duty 1946-67, perhaps a bit younger (only 83), and interested in how obit was written almost as if he retired from both. My sincere condolences. I guess God needs more on guard of Heaven’s scenes. Semper Fidelis.
Bob: former Mayor, 1990-2000, Indian Shores.
A fine soldier, family man, and great all-round person. True to good old traditional values.
Please accept condolences from Peter & Yvonne Pav.
Cw4 Hamel was a member of the Intelligence Training Army Area School in Fort Bragg, NC. He was a superb instructor, able to illustrate his lectures with real world experiences. He was also loyal to a fault, easy to talk to, and an all around good guy and soldier.
With sincere condolences fromn his fellow soldiers at the Intel School. He will not be forgotten.
Many wonderful times together in the past sixty years have been spend with Berta and Leo that will never be forgotten. We will miss our Dear Friend.
Till we meet again Leo, we Love You.
Leo will be missed by his neighbors onLoop..Azinger a very kind and friendly man who loved his wife and his dog. God Bless his family,and may he rest in peace!
Always the fondest of memories of the whole family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Leo saved me when I was at Trinity. He trained me to be an athletic trainer, taught me judo, and, most importantly, loved me unconditionally. He was a surrogate father and I loved him completely. I hope his family knows how much I love him.