Antonio Edmond Hamel (Tony), age 93, of Gilroy and previously of San Jose, California, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 10, 2021, just 9 months after the loss of his beloved wife, Mary.

Tony was born in Berlin, New Hampshire on January 13, 1928 to Catholic French parents, and grew up the 5 ^th of 6 children, who he considered his best friends.  Their playground was the New Hampshire woods and lakes that surrounded the Hamel Poultry Farm where they lived.  The Hamel boys were a close bunch, who formed their own ice hockey team – the older brothers instructing Tony, the youngest and smallest, to "go out there and hit them in the shins".  The boys trekked through the woods, canoed and fished on the lakes, and when Tony was only 8 years old, scrambled up the construction scaffolding to ski down (and fly off) what would become the famous Nansen Ski Jump – the largest ski jump of its time, built for the Olympic trials.

In pursuit of his dream to become a Catholic priest, Tony left his family in New Hampshire to attend the Oblate Seminary in Bucksport, Maine.  After 8 years, to the good-fortune of his future children, Tony left the dream of priesthood behind.  He served 3 years in Germany during the Korean War, managing the kitchen at the future Landstuhl Military Hospital, which was being constructed to receive the injured from Korea (they never arrived).  In 1953, he returned to the US to study engineering at the Franklin Institute of Technology.  Tony, who always excelled in school, caught the eye of IBM when the company was initiating the technologies that would make computers an essential part of every business.  He was hired before he completed his studies, and remained an "IBM-er" for 35 years, gaining international recognition for his expertise and programming skills.

On August 1, 1956 Tony met the love of his life and his perfect match, Mary Gloria Meccariello, when he was asked to help a newly arrived, Italian-speaking IBM employee get settled, and Mary was sent by an Italian priest to assist.  Tony and Mary went to dinner and dancing, and the fairytale romance began.  The following day, Mary, a nurse's aide, was summoned from her work to receive an "emergency call".  The emergency was Tony, calling to ask for a movie date.  Six weeks after their first meeting, Tony proposed with the words "I guess we should go see the priest", and 6 weeks after that, they were married, sealing a union that would last 56 years of life, and in Tony's heart, until his last breath.

Tony was an enthusiastic partner to Mary's unique approach to life, and together they built a home filled with kindness, love and adventure.  They welcomed everyone into their home, rescued and adopted kittens, squirrels, pigeons and chickens, built a 40-foot mechanical Halloween dragon to delight the neighborhood children, and shared the beauty of their country with their children, camping in the California redwoods and Pacific beaches, and visiting parks and sites in 49 states during regular cross-country trips. As always, Tony remained positive and calm – even when the pop-up trailer did not pop up, and when the motor home engine didn't start.  With Mary in the passenger seat, they succeeded in keeping the adventure going with love and laughs, building priceless memories while keeping their 4 kids entertained and their dogs, chickens, and turtles from running off.

After a fulfilling career at IBM, Tony looked forward to new opportunities during his retirement.  He helped raise two of his grandchildren, Kyle and Tessa, riding bikes with them to school, or in Tessa's case, pushing her bike while she propped her little feet on the handlebars, the two of them singing "Daisy Daisy" as they went.  Tony cherished his time volunteering in the newly established Country Lane Grammar School Computer Lab, and he became "Poppy" to a generation of students, who would excitedly call to him in the local Safeway or drag their parents to meet him.  Years later, Tony recalled these as some of his happiest days – having worked when his own children were little, he had a second chance to be a fully engaged stay-at-home grandparent. He and Mary traveled extensively, visiting their children, grandchildren and relatives across the US, and making a second home in Luzzano, Italy, where they were warmly welcomed by Mary's extended family, and enjoyed the loud, loving gatherings in the homes of the many cousins. They made numerous trips there and to other parts of Europe with children or grandchildren.  And the tradition of the Halloween Dragon continued – with Tony and Tony Jr. recreating and improving on the design each year, to the thrill of hundreds of neighborhood children.

In June, 2020, Tony and Mary moved to live with their daughter and grand-daughter, Sylvia and Tessa.  Tony looked out upon the rolling hills and vineyards of Gilroy, and immediately called his new home "paradise".  He grieved heavily the loss of his beloved wife, who died just two days after moving to their new home, but he continued to appreciate life, taking daily 2-mile walks up a country road with a dear friend and accompanying Sylvia and Tessa and a dog or two wherever they went.

Throughout his later years, Tony made daily Facetime calls to his children, nieces, nephews, and dearest friends.  These calls were anticipated and cherished.  Tony made the time to reach out and connect, to share family news or discuss current events - he listened and laughed, but mostly, he let those dear to him know that they were remembered and loved.  The calls would last as long as they needed to – from a few minutes to over an hour (Tony knew who he had to call with a fully-charged phone).  Through these calls, Tony became the glue for a large family unit that was losing its seniors.  As Tony called each relative in turn, he would share the news from one to the other, rebuilding and strengthening the bonds between siblings and cousins, leaving behind the legacy and gift of a family more connected because of his loving outreach.

Although his family misses him deeply, they take solace in knowing that Tony is now reunited with his wife and soulmate, Mary, who undoubtedly has been waiting impatiently for him to join her and is now content, holding his hand.

Tony is survived by his daughter Lisa Plumb (Brad); daughter, Sylvia Fischer (John [Deceased]); son Antonio Hamel Jr. (Lani); daughter Mary Jean Hamel (Danny); 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Edmond Joseph Hamel and Marie Virginie Therrien, his brothers, Armand (Emilienne), Leo (Lenora), Oscar and George (Simone) Hamel and his sister, Dorothy Hamel (Charles) Robarts.

The family asks that any donations in Tony's memory go to the Tony Hamel Memorial Scholarship Fund https://www.kenyaeducationfund.org/donate .  The Kenya Education Fund is a charity that provides high school scholarships based on need and merit to students across Kenya. If you do give, please write "Tony Hamel" in the In Honor/Memory field.

Tony was an organ donor.  His generous contribution after his death will help another live a more fulfilling life.  Consider becoming a donor and be sure to discuss your choice with your family.

A Vigil and Rosary will be held for family and friends on March 22 ^nd at 10:00 – 11:00 am (Rosary at 10:30) at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park Cypress Mausoleum, 1000 1 ^st Street, Gilroy.  A private funeral will be on March 23 ^rd at St John Vianney Church, in San Jose.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks are required and social distancing respected.