F. Allison “Al” Ham passed away peacefully Monday, June 27, 2016, at Concord Hospital, surrounded by family. Al, the son of J. Frederick and Bernice Benham Ham, was born Dec. 4, 1926, and grew up on the family farm in Millbrook, N.Y.
Al was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Conrad Joris Ham; his first wife and mother of his children, Ruth Holt Ham; and his second wife, Judy Zwick Ham. He is survived by son, John M. Ham and former daughter-in-law, Elaine M. Ham, both of Newington, Conn.; daughter, Judith (“Jae”) Whitelaw and son-in-law, T.J. Whitelaw of Concord; grandchildren, Christopher Ham and fiancée, Christa Elliott of Bethesda, Md., Kathleen Whitelaw of Manchester and Lindsay Whitelaw Nadeau and husband, Matthew Nadeau of Concord; stepchildren, Jeb Bremner of Northport, Maine, Robert Bremner and wife, Robin of Wesley Chapel, Fla. and Butch Bremner and wife, Susan of Dunnellon, Fla. Al is also survived by his very dear friend, Madalyn Carter of Concord, who gave him such joy during his last year.
Al attended Iowa State University for two years, leaving to work on the farm throughout World War II. He moved to Newington, Conn. to work as a mechanic for H.O. Penn Machinery Company, a Caterpillar Equipment dealer, advancing to Vice President. Subsequently he was the Equipment Manager for White Oak Construction Company in Plainville, Conn. until his retirement. Al and Ruth lived in Newington, Wethersfield, Stamford and Farmington, Conn. during these years, until Ruth’s death. Al moved to Northport, Maine in 1991 to be with Judy. After her death in 2012, he moved to Granite Ledges Assisted Living in Concord to be near his family.
Al loved the outdoors, photography, and woodworking. He was very active in the Charter Oak Color Slide Assn and Photographic Society of America while living in Connecticut, holding various offices and winning awards for his photography. He was a life-long Mason and member of the AMC. Al treasured being at the family camp in South Chatham, where he photographed nature, hiked, canoed and taught his children and grandchildren to love the natural world. He also enjoyed traveling, and he and Judy spent almost 20 years visiting all 49 of the Continental United States in their various RV’s, loving Alaska the most.
Al was a natural problem solver, methodically analyzing a problem and crafting a solution. He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word; his sense of humor and gentle spirit will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Al’s family cannot thank enough the extraordinary people at Granite Ledges for the care and love given Al during the four years he called the Ledges home. He was very happy, and cared very much for the people there. The family would also like to thank the aides from Concord Visiting Nurse Association who provided Al with special care during his last year. The in-patient hospice care Al received from the Concord VNA Hospice Program and the Concord Hospital staff in PCU and 6 North gave great comfort to both Al and his family during his last days.
Al’s remains will be taken to Connecticut. The family will hold a celebration of life later this year in Concord.
Please remember Al by enjoying your family, friends, and the natural world around you each day.
