HAMMEL, Philip

HAMMEL, Philip J., Professor Emeritus (Education) age 91, of Saskatoon died on May 7, 2020. Philip is survived by his five children, Maurice (Elise), Christopher (Lori) of Saskatoon, Gregory (Stefanie Ruel) of Montreal, Mark (Kelly) of La Cañada Flintridge, California and Lianne (Jon) Yellowlees of Saskatoon. Grandpa is mourned by his 14 grandchildren: Elan (Chris Nordick), Matthew, Rebecca, Taylor, Brie, Paige, Mitchell and Scot, all of Saskatoon; Tristan, Zachary, Jacob and Kaitlynn of Montreal; Emma and Jack of La Cañada Flintridge, California. G-pa will also be missed by his two great-grandchildren, Philippa and Greyson of Saskatoon. Philip was predeceased by wife Jacqueline; daughter Jocelyn; great-granddaughter Sarah Nordick; father Andrew; mother Tillie; two brothers Joe and John; two sisters Emily and Rose Thome. He received his elementary and secondary education in his birth place of Prelate, Saskatchewan. In 1946 he attended Normal School in Moose Jaw. Following two years teaching in rural Saskatchewan, he resumed his education and obtained degrees in Education and Arts at the University of Saskatchewan and a Master of Arts, with a major in Teacher Librarianship at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He taught in Shackleton and Leader before moving to Prince Albert in 1954. There he met Jacqueline Lacroix. They were married on November 10, 1955 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. After teaching at Prince Albert Collegiate Institute for five years, the family moved to Saskatoon where Philip taught at Bedford Road Collegiate. After four years, the family moved to Regina where Philip was the librarian at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus, College of Education library. In 1968, Philip moved to Saskatoon to establish a program for teacher librarians in the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. During his time at the University of Saskatchewan, Philip was granted the position of Tenured Professor. In addition to his responsibilities as a Professor in the College of Education, Philip also served a term as Assistant Dean. Philip retired from the University as Professor Emeritus in 1996. Philip also enjoyed 20 years of service as an elected member of the Saskatoon Catholic Board of Education, serving as Chairperson for 15 of those years. He also served 10 years each with the Catholic Section of the Saskatchewan School Trustees Association and the Canadian Catholic School Trustees Association, with terms as Vice President, President and Past President in both organizations. It was during his term as President of the Canadian Catholic Schools Trustee Association that he worked to ensure that the rights of the Catholic School System be included in the new Canadian constitution, including appearing as a witness to present the rights of Catholic parents and schools to the Special Joint Committee of the Senate and of the House of Commons on the Constitution of Canada in 1980. In 1988, he was awarded the Certificate of Merit from the Catholic Section of the Saskatchewan Schools Trustee Association and in 1989 he was awarded the James D. Higgins Award by the Canadian Catholic Schools Trustee Association for his outstanding contribution to Catholic Education at the provincial and federal levels. Philip spent his last two years at Trinity Manor in Saskatoon. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would like to thank all the staff for their great care and humour in enriching his life. Philip would say that he was so blessed with his family, friends and career; that he was given more in life than most people could ever hope for. We, his family, are blessed to have loved him and been loved by him. Memorial donations may be directed to the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation’s Bishop’s Annual Appeal at 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7S 1H1 (https://dscf.ca/onlinegiving), the Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Foundation or any charity of the donor’s choice. A memorial service will be held at St. Philip Neri Parish, Saskatoon, at a date yet to be determined, with Rite of Committal in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements in care of Aimé Laventure - Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200 www.mourningglory.ca