Ernest O. HAMEL

DOVER — Ernest O. (Babe) Hamel, 79, of Wedgewood Road, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005, at the St. Ann Healthcare Center in Dover after a period of failing health. His family was blessed to be able to surround him with prayer and love as a miracle lifted his soul into a peaceful passing.He was born in Newmarket on Oct. 21, 1925, to Ernest T. and Diane (Langlois) Hamel. Starting with his early years on the family farm, his life was filled with love for his family, and unfaltering dedication to the simple pleasures of an honest hard days’ work. Without hesitation or complaint, he would be ready to be the family craftsman on projects ranging from plumbing repairs to home construction.After serving in the U.S. Army, he worked at Essex International in Newmarket, working his way up to supervisor, before retiring in 1987. He came out of retirement in 1988 and worked as a car-penter at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester until 1993.Family members include his wife of 50 years, Edna M. (Seaver) Hamel of Dover; two daughters, Rhenda Barnes of Stratham, and Jeannine DeNobile and her husband, V. Gregg, of Rochester; two sons, Wayne and his wife, Patricia, of Manchester, and Marc Hamel of Rochester; four grandchildren, Ian and Kassie Hamel of Manchester, and Courtney and Meaghan DeNobile of Rochester. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by three sisters, Florence Malek, Theresa Smith and Lucille Behan; several sister and brother-in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews. Beside his parents, he was predeceased by four brothers, Hector, Paul, Gerard and Robert.The family would like to thank all the staff and nurses of St. Ann for their wonderful care and compassion. Calling hours will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24 at Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 25 at Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, with the Rev. Paul Gregoire, pastor of St. Charles Church in Dover, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St, Ann Healthcare Center, 195 Dover Point Road, Do-ver, NH, 03820 or to a charity of one’s choice.To sign the online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com.