September 3, 2011
Hohman, Merrill S.
Merrill Sylvester Hohman, a resident of Norwood since 1968, and formerly of New Hampshire and Vermont, died unexpectedly Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 at the Norwood Hospital. He was 77. Mel was born January 30, 1934 in Abington, Massachusetts, a son of Joseph Charles and Bertha E. (Hatch) Hohman. He grew up in Abington and graduated from Abington High School before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, and two Master’s Degrees from Harvard University. Merrill served in the US Army from 1959 to 1962 and then worked at the Environmental Protection Agency where he retired after 32 years as the Director of Air and Hazardous Waste Division Region One. He was a past president of the Norwood Lions Club and held several offices at the District level of the Lions Club International. He was a mason for 48 years and a member of Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood. Mel was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Norwood where he had served as moderator, a deacon, and a member of the pastoral search committee. He was also a member of the Conservation Committee of Norwood. Merrill is survived by his wife, Barbara A. (Bickford) Hohman; his two daughters, Deborah L. Sales, and her husband Paul II, of Norwood, and Shirley A. Slutz, and her husband Donald, of Milford, Massachusetts; his sister-in-law Rosamond Hohman of Grafton, Massachusetts; and his nine grandchildren, Paul Sales III, Robert Sales, Christopher Sales, Brandon Slutz, Deborah Slutz, Sarah Slutz, Christian Slutz, David Slutz, and Jayden Slutz. Mel was the brother of the late Roger D. Hohman. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, September 7th from 4 to 8 PM with a Masonic Service by Orient Lodge AF & AM of Norwood at 7 o clock at the May Funeral Home, 85 Nichols Street, Norwood. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mel’s funeral Thursday at 10 AM at the First Congregational Church, 100 Winter Street, Norwood followed by burial in Highland Cemetery in Norwood with military honors. In lieu of flowers donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Comments(15)
I miss you grandpa, I wish I told you before that you are my idol. I will remember you in everything I do. I love you.
I miss you already dad! But I’m sure as you said the mountains look even better from where you are. Enjoy being in His presence!
Our condolences to all the family. Praying for you that the Peace of Christ will surround you all.
How we will miss you ,Mel. The Brookside just won’t be the same without you………….P&E
Auntie Barbie, Debbie and family, and Shirley and family, Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers! I wish we could be there with you. I know that mom and dad really would have liked to be there. Please Please know we are with you in spirit. We will miss you terribly Uncle Mel.
What an amazing man who lived an amazing life. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Barbara and family:
We were saddened to hear of Mel’s passing. I enjoyed the many years I worked with Mel at EPA. There was no better boss, and more importantly, a great friend. He will be missed.
Love,
Frank and Roberta
Words can not express my sincere sorrow at learning of Mel’s passing. Mel was a good friend, boss and counterpart. He will be in my prayers.
Barbara
Aunt Barb, Cousins Debbie and Shirley and Family,
We were saddened by the news of the passing of Uncle Mel. I will always cherish and remember many of the family reunions and vacation get togethers we enjoyed with Uncle Mel and the Hohman Family in New Hampshire. Our prayers go out to you and Uncle Mel and the Hohman Family. God Bless You All.
Dear Barbara and family,
We were so blessed to have know him. He always had a smile to share. He gave of himself selflessly. Prays for you all in your time of grief.
I am so sorry about the loss of Mel. I worked with him for many years at EPA. He was a great boss and I will miss him.
Our very deepest condolences to Mrs. Hohman, Debbie, Paul, Shirley, Don and the family. Our prayers are with you all.
I first met Mr. “H” back in high school when Paul was dating Deb. He was sharp, thoughtful, rock-solid dependable, humorous and an excellent family man. Mr. Hohman wasn’t just a pillar of the community and church, but also a pillar of decency, common sense and wisdom.
Alot can be learned by examining the life of such a man: an excellent role model in all facets of his life who raised the bar, but not so high as to be out of reach, for the rest of us. (And all the while making it look easy.)
Just the knowledge of his passing has made the world seem a bit more dim.
Don & Nancy Driscoll
Daddy, I miss you greatly but now you are in a better place. I know Heidi was sitting there at the gates waiting to welcome you to heaven.
At the corner of a house in Norwood, there are sveral sunflowers growing. They looked so sunny and happy a few weeks ago when we drove by and then Irene hit. That night Paul and I drove by and they were all bent over on the ground- all destroyed or so I thought. The other day, we drove by that corner and there they were standing tall-and there was still a flower. In the midst of my sadness, I saw that flower and it made me feel good. Life does gone on and next year there will be more sunflowers there.
I know your spirit will live on in your grandchildren and I want them all to know how very proud you were of each and every one of them and how loved they all are.
I love you Dad,
Debbie
This special man will be missed by so many of us in the church. We send our sincere condolences to Barbara and the rest of Mel’s family. You are all in our prayers.
With Love, Russ and Lee
Hey Dad,
I know it is not good-bye, but Deb and I miss you so much. I will always remember you with your Grand Children. That wonderful Christmas when we could not walk near the tree because of all the gifts Santa left. You will always be in my heart. Thank you for everything. Until we meet again.
Love always,
Your Son
Paul