Edward Glenn Hammerlee

Edward Glenn Hammerlee, 49, died Thursday, January 8, at Wesbury United Methodist Nursing Home in Meadville, PA surrounded by his family.

He was born July 6, 1965, in Murree, Punjab Province, Pakistan, the youngest child of James and Elizabeth Snyder Hammerlee.

Edward’s parents lived and worked with the Christian Education Program of the Methodist Church of Pakistan until 1966, when the family returned to Pennsylvania, initially to northwest PA near Edward’s grandparents. After his father accepted a position at Bucknell University, Edward’s family settled in Lewisburg.

Edward’s early years as a special needs child brought his family into a welcoming community of organizations and other families in Union and Snyder Counties. Bucknell students taught Edward to swim, which became a lifelong skill and activity. Anyone who met Edward in the summertime was first alarmed, then amazed, as he pushed a favorite toy car along the bottom of a pool for quite some time before resurfacing.

From age sixteen until a recent decline in health, he lived with other developmentally disabled men in a registered group home in Lewisburg, and had remarkable long-term caregivers. He moved to Wesbury’s Grace Hospital in his final days.

Edward worked for many years at the nonprofit SUNCOM Industries, Northumberland, which provides supervision and instruction for disabled individuals at all levels of need.

Edward loved music and bowling, and he had a mischievous grin that let you know he always understood more than he let on.

Edward is survived by his parents; an uncle, Robert M. Hammerlee of Lewisburg; a brother, J. Bruce Hammerlee of San Francisco; a sister, Dr. Amanda Bagnato and brother-in-law, Gary D. Bagnato of Valatie, NY; three cousins, Peggy Williams of Sioux Falls, SD, Brad Hammerlee of Seattle, and Melissa Gerber of Circle Pines, MN; a niece, Katy Bagnato and companion Zachary Randall, of Hickory, NC; and two nephews, Stefan Bagnato and his wife, Tracy of Holly Springs, NC, and Jarem Bagnato of Valatie, NY.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edward and Hallie Snyder of Conneautville, PA, and Glenn and Anna Hammerlee of Polk, PA; and his uncle and aunt, Rev. Glenn and Donna Hammerlee of Sioux Falls.

The family wishes to thank Karen Dygert of Hospice of Crawford County and the nursing staff of Wesbury’s Grace Hospital for their recent care of Edward.

Edward was fondly remembered at a family gathering in his parents’ home the Saturday after he died, with Wesbury Chaplain Sam Marchetta facilitating.

Edward loved and was loved unconditionally all his life.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Wesbury Foundation, 31 North Park Avenue, Meadville; Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine Street, Meadville; or Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.