Brian Edward Hamm

Rest well Uncle Brian. I'm so sorry we never got to know each other better, especially since I became an adult. Say hi to my Dad on your way up.

I couldn't deliver this Eulogy at the service yesterday, but I wanted to include this here. I’d like to tell you a few things about Brian that you may not already know. When we were little, we were known as the Three B’s and the Two R’s. Bruce, Barb and Brian, Russell and Roberta. My grandfather had a small boat that he named after us “The Three B’s and the Two R’s.” One of my early memories was when we lived in Latonia. The Mascarelli Family came over for dinner and to play cards with my parents. All us kids were in the back yard playing. I’m not sure who got the bright idea of climbing up on the roof of the garage and jumping off, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Brian. He was a dare devil. The funny part of thinking back on that was that our parents got wind of what was going on and our Dad came out yelling at us. Brian in his dare devil spirit was at the edge of the roof and yells “Dad, watch this!” He proceeded to jump and he was only 6 or 7. Fortunately, I had a healthy fear of heights and couldn’t do it. We moved to Taylor Mill when Brian was about 8. The world we grew up in was very different than it is now. We were the kids that played outside all day until we heard our Dad whistle for us. We played in the woods without fear. We rode our bikes all around the streets with no helmets and took our tumbles. Brian loved to try to do wheelies on his bike. We got our exercise as kids. Whenever we wanted to go to Pleasure Island, at the bottom of Hands Pike, we had to use the old fashioned transportation of our feet and walk down Hands Pike hill. It scary to even thing about that now. We spent a lot of our childhood at Williamstown Lake. Our grandparents lived there and our parents owned a property where we learned to swim, ski and fish, just to name a few. To teach us to swim, my Dad put a life jacket on us and took us to the end of the dock. He threw us out into the water and said, “Ok, now move your arms and kick you legs to get back to me.” That came from a man who didn’t swim, but it didn’t scare Brian. His dare devil spirit came out again. He was a good slalom skier. He would move easily from side to side of the boat while my Dad drove. Sometimes it seemed like he would fall because he was almost parallel with the water. But he was just turning to go back the other direction. He loved to ski over the ramp too, and was so good at it. Sometimes my Dad would drive the boat past our dock where we were all watching, and Brian would ski up close to us, turn sharply and spray us all with water. We had chores just like everyone else at the time, but, Brian was the baby of the family. As a child, he was smaller than most others his age, so he got the easiest jobs. But he didn’t get out of carrying water in buckets from Williamstown Lake up about 200 feet almost straight uphill to our family’s garden. Each fall, all of us would get on our grandfather’s pontoon boat and head to the hollows of the Lake with tons of buckets to pick black walnuts. Brian was the lucky one to have to sometimes climb a tree to shake down the nuts. But, he didn’t mind. He thought it was fun. As I mentioned, Brian was smaller than most his age and sometimes his big sis had to take care of him. Things tended to happen when we got off the school bus. Kids will be kids and sometimes pick on him. One time someone punched him. Well I wasn’t having any of that. I walked up and punched the kid back, in the face. He never bothered him again and they even became friends. Brian was a handsome, charming guy and the girls just loved him. They were always hanging around him, even at an early age. He was picky about his hair, which had to be just right…which is funny coming from a guy who used to pull his hair out by the roots when he was a boy. Our mom always told him that if he continued doing that, he would end up bald. I guess we know where that came from. 😉 He wasn’t one to date more than one person. When he fell in love, he fell hard. I never knew him to date more than one person at a time. Brian was a good guy, but he wasn’t innocent. He did some crazy things throughout his life. On the last day of school his senior year, he and his best friend bought two 6 packs and went to pioneer park and drank themselves silly….but, don’t tell our Mom, she wouldn’t like it. He really put my parents through a lot when he was young with his craziness. He would stay out late at night on school nights and our Dad would have to go looking for him. Sometimes he was found at friend’s houses; but more than likely, he was found at a little convenient store on Taylor Mill Road that had a pinball machine just racking up points. Brian was a goofy guy. Most photos show him making funny faces or being silly. He always kept us in stitches and he passed that trait on to his son. But he became pretty serious when it came to his music. He was a talented drummer. He even wrote, performed and recorded songs in his own studio. Brian had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was also a hard worker. Ferrara lost a good one. He was an amazing father. He raised two wonderful children and was so proud of his daughter, Carmen, and son, Brian Jr. He was their father, their friend and their rock; and will forever be in their hearts and ours. These are just a few things that I would like you to know about my brother, but there is one more thing that is very important. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He taught his children and grandchildren to fish and hunt. He spent so many days off at Williamstown Lake or down at the bottom of Hands Pike living his dream. When he was fishing, he was at peace. He let all of life’s stresses go. He always took pictures of what he caught; they weren’t always big, but he was always proud of them. So, if there is one way I would like you to remember my brother. Just imagine him in heaven, watching over us while he fishes all day, every day.

I was very saddened to hear of Brian's passing. I met Brian through the Wednesday fishing tournaments on Williamstown Lake. Brian was always friendly and great to talk with. One tournament when his son could not make to the lake with the boat, Brian fished with me. We had a great time fishing and talking. Brian was one of the good guys and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Brian and his family

Our deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss. We are honored to make a contribution to the Scott HS band program in Brian’s memory. Sincerely, Your Friends at Door Services of Indiana

My wife and I would like to send our condolences to the family. We are so sorry for your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

I'm sorry for your loss I only new brain for a little working with him. He will be missed.

So sorry for your loss I worked with Brian at Crescent paper company. Your family are in my prayers.🙏

I went to High School with Brian. I am so sorry for your loss.

I'm truly sorry for your loss, My heart and prayers are with your family at this sad time.Rest In Peace Brian, God got another good angel.

Very sorry for your loss. Brian will be missed. May he Rest In Peace. 🙏🏻