PASSING OF KENNETH HAMMILL The NYPD Emerald Society mourns the passing of our retired member Kenneth Hammill age 58, on Sunday June 21, 2015. Kenny died at home in Staten Island with his wife Desma by his bedside. He was in ill health for the past several years and Desma a retired nurse was ever vigilant with Kenny's comfort and care. During his 20 year career with New York's Finest he was active in many Emerald Society events, for a time he was one of our Precinct Delegates and later served as a Board Trustee. The Jersey City native moved across the Hudson River to fill his dream of being a New York Cop back in 1982. Out of the Police Academy he was first assigned to precincts in Queens and eventually worked in Staten Island at the 120th & 123rd Pcts. His last 10 years and perhaps his favorite time on the job was at Emergency Service Truck-5 doing late tours. It was in 1991 while upstate in the Catskill Mountains during an Emerald Winter Weekend that Kenny first met Desma Dunne. It was love at first sight and eventually after a "lengthy courtship" the Irish bachelor married! In his retirement years they did quite a bit of traveling and among their most notable venues were Alaska, Costa Rica and Spain. But Kenny would always pick trips to Florida as his personal favorites. It was in the Sunshine State where two of his grandkids were and Papa truly cherished those special times with the children. A short ride from their Staten Island home was their little getaway place that Kenny dubbed the "Mystic Mansion". It was their lagoon home down the shore in Mystic Island, the site of many fun times for family and friends. During quieter times Kenny was happy to sit back comfortably and watch a series of John Wayne movies. He loved seeing his idol the "Duke" in those old westerns, maybe it reminded him of his police days rounding up the bad guys. The last few years were real tough with serious health issues complicated by diabetes. Last year during a particularly rough stretch Kenny and Desma's spirits were lifted by a surprise visit to Ken's hospital bedside by Cardinal Timothy Dolan. It occurred while Kenny was confined to his hospital room and going through a strenuous regimen of tests and medications and as Desma put in 12 hour-plus days by his side. The Cardinal's kind words and blessings gave them some relief and meant so much to the burdened couple. But it was Desma's love and devotion that were her husband's best medicine. Now Kenny's pain has ended, he did his best and he will be missed by his loving family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife Desma, his two stepsons Robert (wife Theresa) and Ryan (wife Christine) Dunne, his sisters Gail, Sharon and Kathleen, brother Joseph and three grandchildren Arieana, Patrick and Samantha. Funeral Arrangements by the Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10314 (718) 761-5544. Visiting: Wednesday June 24th, 2-4 & 7-9 10 AM Mass Thursday June 25th St. Joseph RC Church 16 Poplar Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10309 Shoreland Memorial Gardens Cemetery Rt. 35 North, Hazlet, NJ 07730