Obituary of Bernard J. Hammond

HAMMOND – Bernard J. “Red,” 88, Cresson, died March 3, 2013, at Altoona Regional Hospital. Born March 20, 1924, in Sankertown, son of the late Edward and Mary (Kearns) Hammond. Preceded in death by brothers, James and Walter; sister, Alice Schnaubelt; and son-in-law, Dr. Chester Beres. Survived by wife, Helen (Eckenrode), whom he married Nov. 26, 1949, in Carrolltown; children, Bernard E. (Joan), Rochester, N.Y.; Thomas, Hollidaysburg; Dorothy Beres, Johnstown; and Helen Beyer (Christopher), Littleton, Colo.; grandchildren, Tim and Karrie Hammond; Mark, Bryan, Mike and Scott Hammond; and Chris, Lauren and Matt Beres; and eight great-grandchildren. Brother of Catherine Byrnes and Esther Spinner (George), all of Cresson. Army veteran of World War II, having served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Retired as a custom cabinet maker with Beiswenger Construction Co. Member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church and American Legion, Post 238, both of Cresson. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Charles M. Kennedy Funeral Home, Cresson, where Legion of Mary will recite the rosary at 3 p.m., followed by vigil for the deceased. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Aloysius Church, the Very Rev. Father John D. Byrnes. Committal, church cemetery. Military graveside rites by Cresson American Legion, Sankertown VFW and other local veteran organizations.