Hello I am a fellow classmate of Lee and it was great to see him at our 50th reunion, he had a great time and we all enjoyed spending time with him. So very sad to read of his passing.
Prayers to your family.
Kathy Barone Bound- Pottsville Class 1966

I had the pleasure of working with Lee at the T&G from 1986 to 1988. He was a kind and generous colleague, had a great sense of humor, and was the kind of reporter every newsroom needs -- smart, diligent, thorough, fair, and hard-working. His long career at the T&G through all the changes on Franklin Street over the past three decades is a testament to his value as a newspaperman. I'm sorry that he did not get lots of time  in retirement to enjoy the fruits of his long labor, but his memory truly will be a blessing to all who knew him and worked with him.

I worked with Lee for many years in the newsroom at the Telegram and Gazette in Worcester and was shocked to hear of his death this morning. In addition to being a respected colleague he also advised me concerning heart valve replacements in 2007 when I had mine. I will always remember his hearty laugh and positive attitude toward life, especially post-surgery. Please accept my condolences and sympathy on his death.

I always knew that, when Lee focused his time and attention on Worcester public school, and School Committee, topics and issues, he would do so in a careful, thorough, fair, ethical and objective manner. He had an insightful sense of Worcester government and of its personnel. His articles were always balanced and informative, a true service to our community. He was, above all, a fine gentleman, with a keen instinct for people and a genuine devotion to both journalism and the City of Worcester. Quality journalism is truly a special public service, and Lee's career proves that well. My thanks to Lee's family for sharing this remarkable man with our community!

A Reporter's Reporter, he will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.

Lee was a smart reporter and a kind man. I knew him as a coworker and bright light in the newsroom. He was always optimistic - and often the voice of reason. My deep condolences to Martha and his family.

Lee was a really, really good man and great journalist who was fixated on getting to the facts and truth of the matter while respecting and honoring people in the process. I'm sorry we've lost him. My love goes to his family and friends and associates.

I had the great pleasure of knowing Lee, the reporter, and he was old school and I spent many nights on the phone answering his questions which always led to more questions, always made a cup of very strong coffee before returning his call as I knew it would be a long session. But that was because Lee always wanted to get it right and to understand  all of the details. His heart of gold always shined through and held my patience for the very long interviews. Every article he ever wrote on housing and homelessness was so fair and so complete. I will miss those calls and we always worked some fun exchanges into those conversations. Thoughts and prayers to Martha and family!

Lee's light, humor and intellect will shine on in spirit and memory.

Lee was a very nice man who had a unique enthusiasm in reporting the crime in Central Massachusetts. I was very fortunate to have known him during my career as an FBI Agent in Worcester from 1971 to my retirement in 1997. Lee was the author of an article about my career after my retirement that was greatly appreciated my me and my family to be honored in such a manner. I have stayed in touch with Lee since my retirement and we have enjoyed many trips down memory lane together. I will miss Lee and will treasure our friendship.

Hon. Dennis Brennan extends his condolences to the family in this time of loss.

So sad to hear this news. Lee was a great colleague and mentor, and a stellar reporter with an easy smile and sharp sense of humor. Sending prayers to his family and friends.

Lee Hammel was a wonderful colleague and friend.   His smiles, kindness, and unique laughter will be dearly missed. Lee was a model reporter: particularly his dedication to mental health reporting was phenomenal, and significantly improved in raising awareness and fighting stigma. Lee touched so many lives. May his memory and contributions continue to inspire and encourage us. My condolences to Martha and Lee's family.

Lee was everything one could ask for in a friend and colleague. His humor was in a class by itself; he was extremely supportive and helpful; he was unflinchingly fair and honest; and most of all you knew that he cared.

I knew Lee for many years and he was a fine reporter and a very decent human being. My thoughts and prayers are for his family.

Lee was one of the most beloved members of the Telegram community. He always had a funny story to share and was quick with a comeback. His doggedness in pursing stories was truly remarkable. He will be sorely missed at our periodic get-togethers, which he faithfully attended.

Shocked and deeply saddened by this. Lee was truly one of a kind who will be greatly missed by many. He was outstanding journalist and a consummate professional who never gave up on a story and always treated people fairly. More importantly, Lee was an even better person. I consider myself most fortunate to have known him. The King of the Puns brought many smiles and, yes, even more than a few groans to the T&amp;G newsroom with his humor, and you couldn't help but be entertained by the many stories he regaled us with over the years. He was indeed one of a kind and we will all be a bit less without Lee. My deepest and most sincere sympathies to Martha and Lee's family.

So sorry for the loss of my former colleague, a terrific reporter, fellow BU grad and endlessly cheerful person. His memory brings smiles even through our sadness.

My condolences to Martha and the rest of Lee's family and community. He was a beloved colleague who never failed to make me smile. May his memory be a blessing.

I'm very shaken and extend sincere condolences to Martha and Lee's entire family. And his community. Lee was with all of us spiritually. More than a social person, he was socially conscious and had the rare ability to take on injustices in our workplace and elsewhere while retaining that sustaining sense of humor - and never turn away from either one. We sag together with this loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Lee was a wonderful colleague and he always had a smile to share.

Lee was a relentless news reporter for the Worcester T&amp;G for forty years. He would question his subjects as if they were on the stand in court in order to get the details right. He was also one of the funniest people in the newsroom when not chasing a story, piling pun upon pun in complex wordplay. Lee was a great guy to work with and an even better guy to drink a beer with after work and listen to his stories of his stories. He will be greatly missed by me and by all who worked with him.

OBITUARY

Lee M. Hammel

18 September, 1948 – 18 June, 2017

Sugarman Sinai Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services