George W. “Wes” Hamblen

George Wesley “Wes” Hamblen, a resident of Norwood since 1984, died Sunday at the Norwood Hospital. He was 92 years old.  A  Mayflower descendant of Richard Warren, Wes was  born in Boston. He was the son of the late George F. and Marion B. (Pearce) Hamblen. Wes graduated from Roslindale High School.  In 1942,  he joined the United States Army and was with the 243rd Field Artillery Battalion,  World War II,  Head Quarter division under General George Patton Third US Army.  During the Battle of the Bulge,  Wes was severely wounded during combat.   He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, for his heroism.  After the war, he began working for Holtzer-Cabot, in Boston, as a Machine Operator. In 1964, he became a Mail Handler with the United States Postal Service at Boston’s South Postal Annex. Wes later held a managerial position before his retirement in 1986.  He was a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 10 in Boston.  As a boy he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 2 in West Roxbury and returned to the troop as an adult leader.  He was the Sunday School Superintendent for the West Roxbury Methodist Church and later became a member of Bethany First United Methodist Church in Roslindale.  A model railroading hobbyist, Wes was a member of the Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts and Sea Shore Trolley Museum.  He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years Mary “May” (Mackba) Hamblen. He is survived by his children Linda M. Cento of Norwood and her husband Robert and George W. Hamblen Jr. and his Lisa of Plaistow, NH.; his grandchildren Diane Simoni of Texas, Stephanie Simoni of Connecticut and Jake Hamblen of New Hampshire. Brother of the late Lauris Wilbur.  Visiting hours will be held Thursday, July 25, 2013,  4-8 pm at Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood. Funeral services Friday at 11 am at First Parish Church, 340 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood. Burial in Highland Cemetery, Norwood.  Donations in Wes’ memory may be made to DAV, Chapter 10 Hospital Transportation Program, Statehouse Room 546, Boston, MA. 02133.