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OMHA mourns the passing of Life Member Mike Hammond

By Ontario Minor Hockey Association, 11/06/17, 9:00AM EST

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Past OMHA President served minor hockey for close to 30 years

The Ontario hockey community is deeply saddened by the passing of OMHA Past President and Life Member Mike Hammond on November 4, 2017 at the age of 79.

A native of Collingwood, Ontario, Mike was a loving husband of 53 years to Bonnie (nee Kentner), father to Derek (Jen) and Craig (Tracey) and devoted Grampa to Holly, Hope, Quinn and Cooper.

A leader in his community, Mike served as Principal, Vice-Principal and teacher in many schools in the Thornbury and Georgian Bay areas for over 30 years, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of children along the way.

Mike was a dedicated volunteer in minor hockey throughout his life. He was one of three convenors for the Georgian Bay League for the 1980-81 season. Mike was also an OMHA District Convenor for 1981–82 and 1982–83 seasons and a Regional Executive Member beginning with 1983-84 season. Mike was an administrator, Board Member and later elected OMHA President from 1996–98. He was named a Life Member in 2006.

Mike served as Chairman of Development for the OHF from 1998–2004 and was also the 2nd Vice-President of OHF.

He was recognized numerous times for his achievements serving the minor hockey community. Mike received The Hockey Hometown Hero Award from the Beaver Valley Athletic Association in Thornbury in November 2005, the Georgian Bay Hockey League Dedicated Service Award in 1992, the St. Catharines Minor Hockey Recognition Award in 1998 and a Certificate of Appreciation from the OHF for Outstanding Contribution to the Success of the 2002 CHA Annual General Meeting.

A Volunteer Fireman for Collingwood Township (now The Town of the Blue Mountains) for 40 years, Mike received the 'Ontario Firefighters Service Award' from the Ontario Government when he retired in 1998.

Family will receive friends at the Beaver Valley Community Centre in Thornbury on Tuesday November 7 from 4 until 8 p.m. where funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday November 8 at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Thornbury-Clarksburg Union Cemetery. A time of fellowship and sharing further remembrances of Mike will follow in the community hall.

The family wishes, in lieu of flowers, that any donations can be made to Grace United Church, Beaver Valley Athletic Association, Ontario Minor Hockey Foundation or Meaford Hospital Foundation and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, The Valley Chapel, PO Box 556, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0 to whom arrangements are entrusted.

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