Obituary: Richard Hammond, 1957-2020

Richard “Dickie” Hammond of Crowley Street in Burlington passed away on May 26 from complications related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Born on September 23, 1957, to Richard and Georgette Hammond, Dickie lived in Burlington’s Old North End for his entire life.

A few years after graduating from Burlington High School, Dickie went to work for the City of Burlington Street Department (later renamed Department of Public Works) in October 1979. Over the course of the next 37 years, he rose from a laborer position to foreman of the Street Division of DPW. He took great pride in building and fixing the streets and sidewalks all across Burlington. For nearly four decades, Dickie worked every winter around the clock to keep the streets and sidewalks safe for our community. A modest man who never sought attention, Dickie was proud that his work made life better for other people. For years Dickie rose before dawn to meet his coworkers for breakfast at the Doughboys Diner on Pearl Street. When he finally retired in 2016, Dickie earned the distinction as one of the longest-serving city employees.

As much as Dickie loved his work at DPW, his proudest accomplishment was raising his children as a single father. He often said that Travis and Chelsea were the best thing that ever happened to him. Every time he left the house, neighbors could hear Dickie call out to them from his truck that he loved them and to be good. He always made sure his children were safe, healthy and educated.

Dickie was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Georgette Hammond, lifelong Burlington residents. Survivors include Travis Hammond and his daughter, Irelynn, of Burlington; and Chelsea Hammond and her partner, Raymond Laplante, of Burlington, and their children Sophia, Ray, Jayden and Jaelynn. Dickie is also survived by his brothers Randy (Priscilla), Robin (Jessica) and Robert, and his sisters Brenda and Linda.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, June 21, from noon to 4 p.m. at the upper picnic shelter at Oakledge Park. Due to COVID-19, bring a chair, wear a mask and practice physical distancing. We will be serving burgers and hot dogs. Please bring a dish if possible.

This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2020.