On Monday, April 22, 2019, Robert Ernest Hamel passed away at the age of 81. Robert (Bob, Bobby) was born on August 19, 1937 to Ernest and Rita (Courchesne) Hamel in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Janet Lucille (Lloyd) Hamel. He is also survived by 3 children, son Thomas (Tammy) Hamel of Lansing, MI, daughters, Krista (Bruce) Perkins of Mason, MI and Patricia (Kevin) VanderWall of Eaton Rapids, MI. Also mourning his passing are sister Constance (Thomas) Stepniak of Holyoke, MA, Donald (Mary) Hamel of Zephyrhills, Florida and Joanne (Tom Basile) Wiernasz of Enfield, CT. He adored his 7 grandchildren Kate (Misael) Acosta, Taylor Hamel, Abby Perkins, Samantha Perkins, Austin VanderWall, Mackenzie VanderWall and Morgan VanderWall who will miss him terribly. Also left to mourn his passing are brothers-in-law David Lloyd, George Lloyd, Charles Lloyd, and sister-in-law Patricia Lloyd. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Robert Lloyd.
Bob met Jan when they both worked at the Coral Gables. Story has it that Jan asked him “so how tall are you anyway” to which he replied in true Bob fashion, “tall enough for you, baby.” As fate would have it, my mom loaned a coworker her car and unfortunately he was involved in an accident and totaled the vehicle. Since my dad was the one who asked if anyone had a car the coworker could borrow, he felt responsible so started driving Jan to and from work and… the rest is history.
Bob and Jan moved to Lansing, Michigan to a wonderful neighborhood on Palmer Street where they raised their 3 kids. It was a neighborhood where all the kids would get together every day and play kickball, baseball, hide-and-seek or whatever but they were never inside unless it was raining. They also gained lifelong friendships with several families including Norm and Nancy Dunham, Gary and Sue Arntson, Bill and Bev Dodge and Joe and Flavia Filko.
Bobby also worked at the Colonial Bar in Lansing, Michigan for many years. Following that, he earned a degree in Criminal Justice and began working for the State of Michigan at the Huron Valley Center in Ypsilanti as a Forensic Aide. He loved and excelled in this position until his retirement.
Some of his favorite things to do were to golf, lay in the sun, trance, go to the casino, play the lottery (which he won $10,000 on a scratch-off ticket many years ago), Detroit Tigers baseball (which he attended the 1984 championship game), Michigan State Sports and more recently Game of Thrones, spending time with Jan, his kids and grandkids. He also loved watching his grandchildren play sports, sing, act, everything they were involved in.
Bob was always the life of the party and the brightest light in every room. He had the biggest heart and never met a stranger. It seemed everywhere he would go, he knew someone or would make a friend. Everybody loved him!
The family would like to acknowledge the loving care provided to Bob and Jan at the Grand Haven Living Center at 3145 W. Mt. Hope Avenue in Lansing, Michigan. We are so thankful for the outpouring of love and support from them during this difficult time.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 4-6 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan.
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