Obituary of Robert D. Hammond

Robert D. Hammond, 76, of Freehold Borough passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.  Robert was born, raised, and had lived in Brooklyn, NY.  He lived in Old Bridge for thirty-five years until moving to Freehold Borough in 2020 to live with his daughter.  Robert was a mail handler for the United States Postal Service in Edison until his retirement in 2003.  Prior to that, he worked for Yourdon, Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin, and Jenrette both in New York City.  Robert proudly served his country in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1969.  He was aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59), on 29 July 1967, that experienced a severe fire while operating on Yankee Station off Vietnam that killed 134 Sailors and aviators, injured 161, and destroyed 21 aircraft.  Robert survived with shrapnel injuries.  He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7508, Old Bridge.  Robert was a history buff and could quote dates of events with ease.  He was a long-suffering NY Jets and Mets fan.  Yet his true love was for his family and was affectionately known as “Pop”. 

Robert was predeceased by his brothers, Norman and Richard.  He is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Paulette; children, Kimberly Caffarilla, Robert Hammond, Wayne Hammond, Jeffrey Hammond and Jennifer Aviles and her husband, Michael; twelve grandchildren; a great-grandson; his sister, Patricia Kiene; and eleven nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 9:30 to 11:00 AM with his funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM.  Interment will then follow in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle NJ Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Arneytown, NJ 08562.  For those who desire memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or HERE.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.