Obituary of Harry Hammer

Cuba, NY--Harry Hammer, aged 92, of Cuba died Tuesday (April 27, 2010) at the Olean General Hospital after a brief illness. Born September 11, 1917 in Paterson, NJ he was the son of Morris and Mary Grynberg Hammer, immigrants from Poland at the dawn of the First World War. On March 30, 1946 in Paterson, NJ he married Jeanette Hess who survives. Harry graduated from Paterson, New Jersey's Public School 6 and Eastside High School. Afterwards he attended Paterson State College. He was also a graduate of the Workmen's Circle Jewish Day School where his love for Yiddish-his first language-and Jewish culture were nurtured. At the age of 13, Harry started working as a messenger boy for M. Gerson Jewelers in Paterson, where he began learning his trade as a jeweler and watchmaker. He served in the US Army during the Second World War. As a Staff Sergeant in the Fifth U.S. Army, he was part of the invasion from North Africa which reclaimed Italy. After the war, Harry returned to the jewelry trade and became a traveling salesman for Swartchild and Co. Part of his territory included Cuba, New York, where in 1948 he purchased Sheret's Jewelry Store, which he re-named Hammer's Jewelers. He later also opened a store in Wellsville. Hammer's Jewelers was in operation through 1990. Harry, throughout his business career, was member of the Cuba Chamber of Commerce, where he was instrumental in promoting June Dairy Month. He was a charter member of the Cuba Lions Club; Past Master of the Cuba Masonic Lodge, now the Cuba-Friendship Masonic Lodge #306 F & AM. He was also a member of the Cuba American Legion Post #655 as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Cuba Post #2721. Harry's interests included photography, a subject which he briefly taught at B.O.C.E.S. in Olean. He was also an avid computer enthusiast from the early days of personal computers and until his final week would spend hours each week exploring the Internet. He also had a love of reading, principally non-fiction, and followed current events closely. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Jeanette; two sons, Jeffrey (Mary) of Canton, Connecticut and Mark of New York City; two granddaughters, Sarah of London, England and Malorie of Torrington, Connecticut; two great-granddaughters Maela and Rosely; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Molly Rosenkrantz. Friends will be received on Thursday (April 29, 2010) from 2 until 3:00pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. Dr. David Shulman of Olean will officiate a funeral service beginning at 3pm, followed by a military tribute by members of the Cuba American Legion. Burial will be in B'Nai Israel Cemetery in Olean. Those wishing to make donations in Harry's memory are requested to do so to Temple B'Nai Israel of Olean PO Box 224 Olean, NY 14760; the Cuba Circulating Library 39 E. Main St. Cuba, NY 14727 or to the American Heart Association.