COOPERSTOWN – Stephen Hammond, Jr., 83, of Cooperstown, died February 28th at Bassett Hospital after a long bout with cancer.
Known to all as Buddy, he was a familiar figure at local hotspots such as the Cooperstown Diner, and was known for his outgoing personality and wonderful story-telling. During his working years he was a teacher and school principal, and also ran two craft and jewelry stores on Main Street in Cooperstown with his wife Jean, The Hammond Gallery and Silver Shop and Silver Rings and Country Things. He was also a published writer, an artist and musician, a golfer, an antique collector and a Yankees fan. He loved life and lived it to the full.
Buddy is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Jean, a jeweler and craftsperson who was a vendor at the Cooperstown Farmer’s Market for many years. He had four children, Stephen, Matt, Topher and Carol, along with three grandchildren, Stephen, Jimmy and Thea, and two great grandchildren, Malia and Talia. Buddy also had numerous other relatives and a pet Newfoundland name Howard. All will miss him dearly.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
