JAMES ROBERT HAMMEL

Condolences & Memories (9 entries)

• Jim and I met on the indoor running track at Red River Community College (16 laps to a mile!) in 1980. We became friends and ran together often, sometimes through the nearby Brookside Cemetery. One of many examples of Jim’s kindness and thoughtfulness I recall, is his including a stop to water flowers at my grandmother’s resting place if he ran at Brookside solo. Jim encouraged my growing love of running and was an inspiration to me and my continued running to this day. He gifted my daughter and I with a lovely portrait photograph of the two of us, before my daughter and I moved to Vancouver. Jim visited us in Vancouver and I appreciated our Winnipeg visits also, when I returned to visit family. His photographic Christmas cards were always a highlight of the festive season for me. May you enjoy your healthy body and strong spirit on the other side of the ‘Rainbow Bridge’-you are in my fond memories. From Judith Brook (friend) - Posted by: Judith Brook (Long time friend) on: Nov 15, 2020

• I met Jim later in life and worked with him as he dealt with his health issues. He was incredibly interesting and had many stories about running, photography and his time in the military. He was incredibly hard working and an inspiration to so many. You will be missed Jim. - Posted by: Brent Winstone (friend) on: Oct 07, 2020

• Jim was a teacher, a mentor and a close friend for many years. Each year we traded images via a Christmas greeting which was always accompanied by a promise to do lunch in the coming year. His enthusiasm for photography and his constant production and professional work ethic have always been the standard that I aspire to. - Posted by: Robert Barrow (Friend) on: Oct 06, 2020

• I became acquainted with Jim and Noni during their winter visits to Mesa Arizona. I always looked forward to their stay and our lively conversations! I had the pleasure of having Jim and Noni at my wedding which took place at the facility they stayed at and fortunately for me he was my wedding photographer! Years later hubby and I took a summer holiday to Winnipeg to visit with Jim/Noni and see the sites of this grand city (first time to Canada for both) and had the lovely privilege of lunching and dining with Jim and Noni, and a few family members. Winnipeg may not be the top list of Canadian cities for tourists but had it not been for Jim encouraging us to visit Winnipeg, I would never had experienced one of the most memorial trips in my life. Thank you Jim and RIP - Posted by: Myriam Lopez (Long Distance Friend) on: Oct 01, 2020

• I knew Jim from my time as a student at Red River Comm. College. Jim was an avid photographer and communicator, he helped by bringing the enthusiasm of his art to his students. You will be missed. - Posted by: Ric Mitchell (ex student) on: Aug 10, 2020

• As a friend of 40 years, I was asked by the Manitoba Marathon (as a former Race Director) to write comments for them to share with the running community. Jim and I shared so much over the years both inside and outside the running world, and I am honoured to do so on their behalf and on my own as well: The Manitoba Marathon and our running community lost a great friend, with the passing of Jim Hammel on July 24, 2020. Going back to the earliest days of the Manitoba Marathon, Jim sat on our Board and chaired our Technical Committee for over a dozen years, helping us navigate successfully through the early turbulent years and then through the addition of new events and our explosive growth. For many years, Jim was also the Race Director of the Athletes Wear Run, in its day the pre-eminent 10km race in the province. His passion for the Manitoba Marathon was lifelong, as he continued for decades as our Official Photographer and ice stations coordinator. In recent years and in failing health, Jim always joined us at the Manitoba Marathon Finish Line in his wheelchair to drape a few Finisher Medals over the necks of happy and exhausted marathon finishers. As a runner and marathoner himself, Jim absolutely loved everything about our Father’s Day event, from the kids in the Super Run, the range of our events, the recreational as well as the elite runners, the passion and sheer volume of our volunteers and our support of community living initiatives. Loved by many, as a fellow runner, a trusted and loyal friend and as a volunteer, Jim’s spirit will be with us always. - Posted by: Allan Finkel (Friend) on: Aug 06, 2020

• As a long time friend of Jim’s life partner, Noni, I was blessed with Jim’s company on many occasions - whether it be catching the latest, greatest movies at the theatre, during the winter; or the many lunches at The Pancake House and Rae and Jerry’s; or the relaxing get-togethers at Gimli during the summer. I was always in awe of Jim’s ability to run marathons, and his devotion to the volunteer work he did for the Manitoba Marathon in his latter years. He was a photographer extraordinaire, as reflected by his work. Jim loved the Arts - every facet of the arts - and he approached them with an endearing sensitivity. I think, more than anything else, this defined him as the kind and sensitive person that he was. R.I.P. Jim Hammel. - Posted by: Patti (Friend) on: Aug 04, 2020

• I remember Jim as an integral member of the Manitoba Marathon Technical Committee, back in the 1980's. Our group got along beautifully together back then, like those big Italian families that we see in the movies. After our regular meetings, we moved to Chi Chi's to continue the meetings. (That is where a lot of the real business got done) Many of the things our committee initiated back then are still in place today. Jim will be deeply missed by all that knew him Dick Maguire - Posted by: Dick Maguire (Friend) on: Aug 02, 2020

• Where to begin? How to represent a friendship that began in 1982 and blossomed through so many years? Incredible shared experiences from the early days of the Manitoba Marathon through many changes and challenges. Jim and I were among the last of the 'old gang' coming back year after year, not to 'run' the marathon any longer, but still to do what we could to help 'run' the marathon. Treasured times. Treasured memories. I will miss you dear friend. I will miss our special lunch outings with Noni a couple of times a year... was looking forward to meeting again this autumn as favourite places gradually welcomed back patrons following the challenges of Covid-19. May you rest well now dearest Jim, once again whole, hale and hardy in the Paradise you deserve. - Posted by: Nancy Gajdosik (Long time dear friend and Manitoba Marathon colleague) on: Jul 28, 2020