In Memory of Jerome Hammer

[Marc LeVine]

In Memory of Jerome Hammer





Hammer was well-known for his community spirit

FREEHOLD - The borough lost one of its most willing public servants when Jerry Hammer passed away July 15.

Hammer, 84, donated his time and effort to help improve Freehold without thought or desire for compensation or recognition, according to Mayor Michael Wilson.

The mayor expressed his condolences to Hammer's family during a recent Borough Council meeting.

Surviving Hammer are his wife, Bernice; and daughters Lynn Reich and her husband, Ron, of Freehold Borough, Rea Epstein and her husband, Howie, of Old Tappan, N.Y., and Della Cherchia and her husband, Jeff, of Marlboro.

Hammer, who was a familiar face on civic committees for years, died at home. He served on the Freehold Borough Board of Education from 1956-72 and on the Planning Board from 1984 to 2003. He was also a member of the Freehold Borough Citizens Advisory Committee.



Matthew Weismantel served with Hammer on the Planning Board.

"This is a very sad loss for our community," Weismantel said. "Jerry was very involved and made such a difference in the community. He was a major force in our community, and we will all really feel the loss of his wisdom and his willingness to help and to serve."

Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer called Hammer a true public servant and one who set an example that is being followed by his children. She said he served with distinction on the school board and on the Planning Board.



"Jerry was a gentleman and a gentle man," Shutzer said. "He will be missed by all, and we express our condolences to the Hammer and Reich families."



Hammer was honored by the council in September 2004 with a resolution attesting to his lifetime of caring and concern for his community.



Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Hammer was a World War II veteran who fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He received the French government's Victory Medal in recognition of his service at Normandy. He was a member of the Jordan Lodge, F&AM, Oglensky-Jackson Post No. 359, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America.



Hammer married Bernice, who is known as Bunny, in 1948 and settled in Freehold Borough in 1955. He was a dog groomer for Pride and Groom, Freehold. Prior to that, he was the operator of Maurice Hammer and Son, Howell, a Purina Feed company.



Funeral services for Hammer were held at the Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by interment at Congregation Sons of Israel Cemetery, Englishtown.




- Clare Marie Celano