orman D. Hammel was born on April 29, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Samuel and Pearl (Goldblatt) Hammel. He passed away on November 8, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Hospital North after battling pneumonia for several months.
Family
Norman was preceded in death by his loving wife Norma (Roberts) to whom he was married for 59 years and his daughter Sharon. Norman and Norma resided in Queens, NY., Vernon, Ct. and various locations in Florida until finally settling in Tampa, where he lived for the past 16 years.
He is survived by son Kenneth, his wife Sandra, grandchildren Kimberly and Jillian, her husband Heath, and great-grandson Kris.
Life
Norman most enjoyed spending time with family and friends, always had a song in his heart and will be greatly missed by all.
Military
Norman joined the Army on July 16, 1943 in New York, New York. He was a Flight Maintenance Gunner during World War II who saw action during the Battle of the Bulge, the Rhineland and through Central Europe. At the time of his honorable discharge he was eligible to wear the American Theater Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with three bronze service stars, the Good Conduct Medal and five Air Medals, to represent the five different acts of heroism during aerial flight, on his uniform.
Service
A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 1:00 pm at Florida National Cemetery. The United States Army and VFW Post # 10209 will render military rites.
Friends, family and those who served with Norman are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
Preview YouTube video Norm’s Story – 35 missions over Germany
A quintessential gentleman an American Patriot the kind that many of us will never meet again the kind of patriot that our country will never create again not like that generation not like guys like Norm. Norma’s always a perfect gentleman and spoke deeply and lovingly of his late wife and family often. He was always positive and happy and look for the best part of each day I miss seeing him swim in the pool as recently as a year ago here at our beautiful complex at the golf course he always had a kind word it was never short on humor and happiness every day he was generous with his words and his deeds all the time a perfect gentleman they don’t make them like that anymore but we can strive to be that way what’s his example of love for family self others and his country God bless you Norman I’m a better person for having spoken with you and met you your friend and neighbor Elaine
To know Norm any length of time was to have a
life long friend who shared good times, stories and wisdom. Rare indeed to find such a kind humble personwho made you feel comfortable and genuinely cared for. Norm would positively
engage everyone he came in contact at the
pool at the complex we lived at. We celebrated
his 91st birthday with a group of good friends Bob, Leo, John, Elaine, Tom, Sue, Buddy and Sylvia. By the end of the party Norm was in tears from the genuine love and respect shown
to him. Veterans who knew him (Leo and myself)
would tell him “Norm it is our honor to know you.” He would reply “little ol me.” Yes little ol you. He helped keep us safe in dangerous bombing missions over Germany. So yes Norm
it was an absolute honor and privilege to
have known you. May God in his infinite mercy
bless and watch over you now and forever.
Norm was a remarkable man,i enjoyed listening to him,he was very interesting to talk to and very witty as well. I am so glad that I had the privilege of knowing him,he will be missed by all that knew him.