Sally Hammelev and children do everything he could for you to make you feel like you mattered , that you were somebody to him .”
Martha Hammelev , the youngest of the Hammelev children along with her twin sister Marcia , described her father ’ s love as “ boundless .” That love extended to his children ’ s friends as well . Even though the family of ten lived in a modest three-bedroom home — the six girls in one bedroom , the two boys in the second — Harry never turned anyone away from the Hammelev home .
“ Our house attracted a lot of kids that had broken families , single parents , or just yearned to feel loved ,” Martha said . “ Undoubtedly , Harry Hammelev was the one who filled that void and made them feel like they mattered . They were fed , had a space to sleep , but most of all they were made to feel a part of our home by my father ' s lovable spirit .”
Marcia Hammelev Sander will never forget the day her father confided in her . “ I had a fight with one of my siblings and after blurting out , ‘ I wish I never had brothers or sisters ,’ my father quickly set me aside , then with as much love and compassion as a father could gather , he said , ‘ There are no riches in the world greater than family ,’ Marcia recalled .
“ Then with his eyes welling up and a calm in his voice he uttered , ‘ never take family for granted ’. During my father ' s final moments , with all his children lovingly surrounded by his bedside , I saw the greater picture and the treasured message my father would graciously leave behind . Riches are not defined by the sum in our wallet ,
Harry comes out of retirement
but by the love generated by our existence with family and communities .”
Cindy shared how her father made every effort to inspire and encourage others to be better people . “ At his funeral , one of the Sheriffs speaking said it best . ‘ Harry was not just a deputy sheriff ... He was a peace officer . We would all benefit by learning from his example .’ I personally , could not agree more ,” Cindy said .
Rob echoed the sentiment of all the Hammelev siblings . “ Dad made us all so proud ,” he said . “ When Harry passed away , he was surrounded by his loving family , members of the community he served along with many of his law enforcement friends , all of whom honored him with one of the largest and most impressive funerals I have ever seen for a retired officer .”
Martha will never forget the words of her sister ’ s childhood friend ’ s eulogy at Harry ’ s funeral in 2002 . “ She expressed how grateful she was to be so accepted and embraced by our family , Martha said . “ Her words gave these feelings life and reminded me once again how fortunate I was to have been raised by Harry Hammelev .”
This year , May 14 marks the nineteenth anniversary of Harry ’ s passing . His children will once again gather at his graveside to share a lifetime of fond memories and a fast-food lunch . “ My father would say , ‘ Family is first , you always remember that ’. We have passed that down to our children ” Karen said .
Harry ’ s legacy lives on ...
Photos provided by Karen Hammelev Spence
Sally Hammelev with children and grandchildren
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2021 gmhtoday . com