Obituary of JOHANN (JOHN) HAMM

JOHANN (JOHN) HAMM

Date of Passing: November 27, 2017

John Hamm passed away peacefully at the age of 92, in Winnipeg. John is lovingly remembered by Lèa, his wife of 65 years, their children, John and Deborah (Mark), three grandchildren, Michael (Cheryl), Derek (Alysia) and Erika (Adam) and two great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Adelaide Mae. He is also survived by two sisters, Katherine and Erna, sisters-in-law Aileen and Betty, and extended family and friends. John was predeceased by his parents Peter and Margaret, brothers Peter and Bill and sisters Margaret and Nettie. John was born in Schoenwiese, RM of Rhineland, Manitoba on May 12, 1925. John grew up with two brothers and four sisters, living in various small towns in Manitoba.

After completing his grade 12, at the age of 18, John enlisted in the RCAF in 1943, attained the rank of sergeant, trained on the Fairchild Cornell aircraft and was certified as a pilot. However, the war ended before he was put into active service. After WWII, John continued his higher education, interspersed with teaching. He obtained his Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Education, Bachelor of Education and Pre-Masters from the University of Manitoba. John taught at four schools in rural Manitoba, including Zhoda School and Altona High School. In 1952, he began teaching in the Winnipeg School Division, for 33 years. John was a teacher at Inkster, Faraday and Laura Secord schools. During the last five years at Laura Secord, John taught a major work class. In 1965, John became a principal over the next 20 years, at River Elm, Lansdowne, Norquay and Kent Road schools. John was well-liked by the children, for the special attention he gave them, by greeting them by name and being interested in them as individuals. John retired in 1985 at the age of 60 and spent 32 wonderful years in retirement.

John was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was always active in sports, especially 5-pin bowling and fastball. He belonged to no less than four bowling leagues at the same time, including the Winnipeg Teachers’ League. John was a star fastball pitcher on the Black Knights, later called The Winnipeg Colonels. After 15 years in this league, John retired as the oldest member at that time. In 2010, the 1967-1972 Black Knights Fastball Team was inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame. They were the dominant force in Manitoba men’s fastball and were provincial champs 5 out of 6 years.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff of River Ridge I & II Retirement Residences for the care and kindness extended to John during his residence there. They are also grateful for the compassion and care from the nurses and Dr. Christine Duprat at Concordia Hospital during his stay there.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or a charity of your choice.