IN MEMORIAM: Stephen Hammond, 83;

Teacher, Principal, Downtown Merchant

COOPERSTOWN – Stephen Hammond, Jr., 83, of Cooperstown, a retired teacher, principal and downtown merchant, died Feb. 28, 2018, 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 Farmers’ Market for many years.  He had four children, Stephen, Matt, Topher, and Carol, along with a granddaughter, Thea, and two great grandchildren, Malia and Talia.  Buddy also had numerous other relatives and a pet Newfoundland named Howard.  All will miss him dearly.