METHUEN: James B. Hamel, 62, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025,

with his loving family by his side as he passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ at Tewksbury Hospital following a lengthy battle with Huntington's disease. He was the husband of Therese "Teddy" Hamel.

Born in Haverhill on August 18, 1962, he was the son of the late Carol (Flagg) Hamel, and the late Paul Hamel.

Jim graduated from Whittier Vocational Technical High School, Class of 1981, where he studied welding. His career as a Welding Inspector at Raytheon Corp. spanned several years until failing health hastened his retirement.

He was a longtime and faithful member of First Baptist Church in Haverhill, and for years pursued his passion for photography.

Besides his wife Teddy, to whom he was married for thirty-one years, Jim is survived by his family, daughter, Katie Bretton and her husband Jason of Salem, NH, sons, David J. "DJ" Hamel of PA, Joshua M. Hamel of Methuen; brother, Michael Hamel and his wife Gayle of Plaistow, NH; sister, Heather Hamel; step-mother, Eileen (Schieman) Hamel; nieces,  Kelsey Hamel of Portsmouth, NH, Michaela Sharpe and her husband Cody of Salem, NH, Ava Johnson; nephews, Zachary Clor, Tristan Johnson; great-niece, Savannah Sharpe, and special cousin, Debbie (Emery) Bashaw and her husband Donald and their children Ryan and Kassie of Newbury, MA.  Jim was the brother of the late Kimberly Hamel.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11:00am at First Baptist Church, 217 Main St, Haverhill, MA 01830 to be immediately followed by a time of fellowship and refreshment in the church's Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Jim's name may be made to First Baptist Church, 217 Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main St., Haverhill, MA 01830. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com.