Andrew F Hammer's Obituary
Andy Hammer, always a kid at heart; could be seen with goggles on, squirt gun in hand and his SpongeBob t-shirt in the middle of a squirt gun fight with his grandsons. This man loved life to the fullest with his wife Frances, the Italian Princess always at his side. As the world’s greatest father, Andy taught his daughter Leonora (Lee) how to ice skate, how to love the news, to love cars, to love her mother, and to treat every single person with kindness and dignity. This man didn’t see people in color (maybe because he was blessed with being “color blind) or sexual preference or religion he saw them with his whole heart. On countless occasions we would all witness him wearing his heart on his sleeve as he cried when he saw children singing, or during the national anthem or during a fireworks display or whenever he was proud of someone he loved. Plain and simple … he just loved life and those who were in it!
Some of Andy’s greatest joys in life were sailing, trains, playing Mr. McHenry on the Uncle Ducky Show and being a long time member of the show while helping “budding artists and actors”, he loved cars and he and his daughter shared being “right wing conservative nut jobs”, he loved his country and despite not being able to serve his country had the honor and privilege of taking his brother in law, John Filosa; a Korean War vet, on an Honor Flight to Washington DC. Can you imagine the tears?! Andy loved to eat and was blessed with a wife who could cook anything! By her love and gift of cooking he was well fed! He loved sweets, probably a little too much and would often hide sweets where Frances could not see or reach them … but hey … what’s life without sweetness?! He loved watching his daughter and grandsons and wife compete at sports and was their biggest and LOUDEST fan! He could literally fix anything. Many times with wisdom and guidance he helped his son in law Greg fix things around their home all while sharing his life experiences during these projects. He loved all of his grand dogs and they were forever eager to see him.
After retirement Andy and Frances played pickle ball multiple times a week and developed the greatest group of friends of whom they played with, partied with and dined with on a regular basis. Never having met a stranger and always wanting people to feel comfortable, every new player to pickleball was first greeted by Andy who welcomed them, guided them, taught them all about the sport and made them feel instantly a part of the group! Andy and his brilliance and his life here on this earth may be over but it will live on in his grandsons Gabriel and Luke and in his wife, Frances and daughter, Leonora and son in law Greg. He touched the lives of many many nieces and nephews, neighbors, church members and strangers … he will be eternally missed but each person who knew him is a better person for it! When you see a Saturn station wagon or see a sailboat or train or maybe see a hummingbird these are a few of his favorite things and him saying “hello” take time to notice.
Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 518 Dewald St, Fort Wayne with visitation one hour prior. Father Tyrell Alles officiating. Visitation is also 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Harper’s Community Funeral Home, 740 St. Rd. 930 E., New Haven. Masks are required both at the funeral home and the church. Burial in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, New Haven. Preferred memorials are to Masses.
What’s your fondest memory of Andrew?
What’s a lesson you learned from Andrew?
Share a story where Andrew's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Andrew you’ll never forget.
How did Andrew make you smile?
