Kenneth Earle Hammond Was Veteran, Mechanic

Kenneth Earle Hammond of Oak Bluffs died Feb. 17 at his home. The son of the late Earle Dexter Hammond and the late Mary Rounsville (Wanner) Hammond, he was born in Lakeville on Jan. 10, 1923. He was graduated from Memorial High School in Middleboro in 1941.

From November 1942 to February 1943 he was an electronics helper at the Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard in Hingham. From February 1943 to December 1945 he was an electronic technicians mate second class in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Orleck. On Feb. 19, 1944 he was graduated from the Radio Material School Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.

After leaving the service, he worked for a year at Benny's Auto Store in Middleboro from 1946 to 1947. From 1947 to 1990, he was an auto mechanic.

He moved with his family permanently to Martha's Vineyard on Oct. 1, 1981 and worked as an auto mechanic for five years. Then he drove a delivery truck for the Vineyard Auto Supply from 1992 to 1997. He retired in 1997 when he became legally blind.

His ancestors go back to Thomas Mayhew of Martha's Vineyard. His hobbies were boating and model railroading.

He was married first to Florence G. (Dolly) Thompson, now deceased. In 1949 he married Lillian J. Perkins, who survives him. He had five sons and two daughters, Robert K. of Iowa, Thomas V. of California, Kevin E., Stephen P. and Walter A. of Oak Bluffs, Gail L. Mazzoli of West Bridgewater and Karen J. Anacki of Bridgewater. He also had 10 grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held at the VA National Cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers, send donations to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 256, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason in Oak Bluffs.