Following is the obituary for PAUL FRANCIS HAMMOND submitted by his family.

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Paul Francis Hammond, of Fairfield and formerly of Westport, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 1, 2023, with his family and rector at his side.

Paul was born on Sept. 15, 1941, in Glen Ridge, N.J., to Dorothy and Carlton Hammond. After his brother John was born, the family moved to Darien, where Paul had a wonderful youth spending time as an acolyte at St. Luke’s Church, acting in theater and playing baseball and football. 

His summers were spent in Chatham, Mass., where Paul’s family had 300 years of history. He attended Camp Malabar and was a counselor for several years at the Adirondack Swim Camp. He also worked summers on the Cape with the Chatham Highway Department and at the Hawthorne Inn, where he worked on grounds and maintenance, bellhopping and teaching water skiing with his best friend, Duke Courtnell. He worked at the Willard Nickerson’s Fish Market, the Hammond House Restaurant and he played several summers of Pony League Baseball. All this led to a lifetime of joyous summer memories.

After graduating from Darien High School in 1959, Paul took a gap year where he worked as the head doorman at the Waikiki Hilton in Hawaii. He graduated from Brown University in 1965 and later earned his master’s degree at New York University in international development. 

In 1966, he joined the Army during the Vietnam War and served for three years as a 1st lieutenant and executive officer of his training battalion, receiving an Army Commendation Medal. 

He began his business career at International Paper, then worked at Emery Air Freight and All Transport. Paul started his own company US Trade and Transport, where he traveled the world selling heavy construction equipment. He later entered the world of market research working for Teeton Group, Yankalovich and TRC, where he was an executive vice president and principal shareholder.

Paul met the love of his life Paige in 1979 and they were married soon after in 1980. They settled in Westport on Saugatuck Shores, where they lived for 35 years. Paige and Paul enjoyed a fun-filled life with endless good times and many good friends. Paul spent most of those years enjoying time on the Sound lobstering, fishing and water skiing, and spending time with Paige’s children, Connie and David. During these years they traveled extensively around the world. They also enjoyed vacationing at their island paradise on Treasure Cay, Abaco Bahamas, which became a true home away from home. They later settled in Fairfield.

In his retirement, Paul became passionate about writing novels and researched, wrote and published four books all related to the American Revolution.  

Paul gave back fully to all the communities where he lived. He was active at Christ and Holy Church in Westport on the Vestry, Fundraising Committee and as the building project manager for the church renovation project. He was heavily involved in the Saugatuck Island Owners Association, where he served as president and as a board member. He also served on the Treasure Cay Golf Club as chairman, commodore of the Yacht Club,  and as a board member of the Treasure Cay Medical Clinic. Recently, he served as grounds chair and a board member at the Meadows in Fairfield, where they have lived for nine years.

Paul loved history, travel, hiking, walking and golf. He was a true outdoorsman, but above all else he loved his family and especially his five grandchildren. He felt blessed sharing their lives with them and supporting all their endeavors. He fully encouraged all his grandchildren, rarely missed an event, and was always there to support them. He enjoyed being an active grandfather and loved them all beyond words. 

Paul is survived by his wife of 43 years, Paige Hammond, and two stepchildren, Connie Widmann of Newtown and David Moore of Westport; their spouses, Jamie Widmann and Andrea Moore, and five grandchildren, Jimmy and Sarah Widmann, and Tessa, Janna and Ella Moore. Paul also enjoyed his large extended family including his sister in law, Suzanne Hammond and many cousins, nieces and nephew.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held Friday, Nov. 17, at 12 p.m., at Christ and Holy Trinity Church in Westport, with a reception to follow in Branson Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s name to Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810; 203-702-7400.