James Francis Hammill, MD, FACP was born in New York City on November 8, 1923 and at an early age his parents, Rita and Hunter Hammill, moved to Philadelphia. He attended St. James Elementary School and West Catholic High School for Boys. In 1942, he graduated from LaSalle College in Philadelphia and joined the enlisted Army Reserve. After his service, using the GI Bill as his financing, he was admitted to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1944, graduating with an MD degree in 1948. He rejoined the Army as a member of the Medical Corps and retired from the Army in 1957 as Lt. Colonel. His military service included serving in the Korean War in the 24th Infantry Division, being Chief of Neurology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC and a stint in the Office of Surgeon General. In 1957, he was invited to become a member of the faculty of medicine at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was honored by Columbia for his compassionate and humane care of many patients and for being a role model for medical students, younger physicians in training and his own colleagues. In 1992, after 35 years at Columbia, he retired as Professor Emeritus at Columbia University.
Jim’s wife Francesmary Dolores McAvoy passed away on July 22, 2012. They met in the sixth grade and were married 70 years, moving to Montana in 2004, after enjoying an active retirement in Savannah, Georgia.
Dr. Hammill is survived by his seven children; James F. Hammill (Patricia) Troy, MT; Joan Glassner (Norman Glassner, MD) Florida; Hunter Hammill, MD (Bobbie) Texas, Alice Holahan (John) Maryland; Vivian Hammill (Linda Sandman) Montana City, MT; Eileen Reeve (Gus) Florida and Patricia Sabo, New Jersey.
He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren with two more due this fall. Dr. Hammill was a member of the Cathedral of St. Helena Parish.
The Hammill family would like to thank the staff at Touchmark for their wonderful care of Francesmary and Jim since their arrival in 2004.
The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to begin at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12th at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street. A reception will follow the Mass in the Brondel Center at the Cathedral of St. Helena. Rite of Committal will follow the reception at Resurrection Cemetery. Anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory may do so to the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, Dept. LA 23216, Pasadena, CA 91185-3216 or the charity of your choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family or a condolence or to share a memory of Dr. Hammill.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Brondel Center
Lower Level of Cathedral
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the Reception
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Brondel Center
Lower Level of Cathedral
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the Reception
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
3685 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Janice Skoloff and Joe Skoloff says
How proud you must be, as his children and grandchildren, to have had a father and grandfather who accomplished so much and was so well respected….My thoughts and prayers are with you all. You have a beautiful family. I love Joan very much and have been blessed to be her friend for many years, so I feel like I know you in some way, although we only met at Phillips and Mark’s weddings I truly believe your father and grandfather ,is with your mother/grandmother and they will always be with you….thinking of your family with love in our hearts, Janice and Joe Skoloff
Don Genaro says
I’ll never know a finer man than Jim Hammill, a dear friend for over 50 years. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Marci & Steve Lynn says
Dear Hammill Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss.
Diane B. Amato says
A Man of All Seasons!” “A man of principle, envied by his rivals and loved by the common people and his family.” I couldn’t think of a better way of describing my friend and mentor……
Diane B. Amato
Diane B. Amato says
He was “A Man of All Seasons”…..”A man of principle, envied by his rivals and loved by the common people and his
family and friends.”
I couldn’t think of a better way to decribe my dear friend and mentor. Rest in peace…..Until we meet again…..
Diane
Maureen Covone says
Heartfelt sympathy to the Hammill family on the loss of your Dad. He was a fine gentleman and neighbor in Haworth. Many great memories over the years at Herkimer Ave. A devoted father and physician. He will be missed but remembered by all.
Maureen Collins Covone
Maureen Covone says
Heartfelt sympathy to the Hammill Family on the loss of your Dad. He was a fine gentleman and neighbor in Haworth. Many great memories over the years at Herkimer Ave. A devoted father and physician. He will be missed but remembered by all.
Maureen Collins Covone
Jim and Cheryl Larkin says
I first met Dr Hammill in 1960 when Jim Jr and I were attending Don Bosco HS. He was on the staff at Columbia Medical Center and I was so impressed with him that I decided to go to Medical School. He was a great physician, a fine father and spouse and will be sorely missed.I was fortunate to have reconnected and spoken with him on the phone recently. Our condolences go out to Jim and the rest of their family.
Jim and Cheryl Larkin