Donald J. Hammel

With a heavy heart, we mark the end of an incredible life. Donald Joseph Hammel entered eternal rest on Saturday, March 30th, 2024. Donald (“Don”, “Pap”) was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, friend, and business leader. A hard worker all of his life, he was inspired by a strong work ethic and never stopped moving. A native Pittsburgher, he was born on June 29th, 1937, the son of Charles L. Hammel and Marie A. Grimm. He attended and graduated from St. Francis de Sales in McKees Rocks, PA, in 1956. He began working at the age of 12 for the family business, Hammel’s Express, started by his father in 1919 with a horse and buggy. He went on to own Laurel Mountain Express Co. of Latrobe, PA, in 1959. With deregulation in the 80s, Don moved on to founding PJAX Freight Systems in Gibsonia, PA, with the support and hard work of his wife and children for twenty five years. The family that he came from and the family that he left behind were devoted to trucking and transportation. From humble beginnings, PJAX was sold in 2006 with over 2000 employees and operating in 10 states. In retirement, Don relocated to Jupiter, Florida, and spent the rest of his happy years in the community. A practicing Catholic all of his life, Don was a member of St. Bernard Church in Mt. Lebanon, PA, Saints John and Paul Church in Wexford, PA, as well as St. Jude Church in Tequesta, FL, and St. Christopher Church in Hobe Sound, FL, and raised his family in faith. Don was an avid golfer his entire life, and he played almost every day until the last year of his life and was a member of Chartiers Country Club in Pittsburgh as well as Hobe Sound Golf Club in Florida for the past 28 years. Don was a voracious reader, quick wit, card shark, and lover of Frank Sinatra, the Steelers, Penguins, fine wines, and playing gin and golf with friends. He was the last Hammel of his generation, predeceased in death by his father and mother, his siblings, Charles L. Hammel Jr., James Timothy Hammel, Robert Hammel, Mary Anne Kandrack, and Marlene Anderson, as well as nephew Albert Kandrack. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Joan E. Belsterling Hammel, their five children, Donald Craig Hammel (Jeanne), Lorri Ann Hammel DeAngelis (Matthew), James Timothy Hammel (Judy), Jeffrey Allen Hammel (Jodi) and Douglas Stephen Hammel (Mignonne), their fourteen grandchildren, Kristin Victoria Hammel Begley (Daniel John), Kaitlyn Elizabeth Hammel Ramos (Cristian), U.S. Army Specialist Alexander James Hammel, Gabrielle Marie Hammel Teed (Brian), Shannon Kathryn Hammel, Elizabeth Brooks Hammel, Michael Donald-Charles DeAngelis, Emily Anne Hammel, Donald Cameron Hammel, Brianna MaryAnn Hammel, Lynn Mary Hammel, Matthew Michael DeAngelis, Eleanore Reese Hammel, Charlotte Johanna Hammel, their three great-grandchildren Makayla Ryann Begley, Alexandra Rae Begley, and George Jeffrey Teed; his many nieces and nephews as well as their children and grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at St. Jude Catholic Church, 204 N US-1, Tequesta, FL 33469, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 11:00 am. The Mass will be livestreamed for friends and family who are unable to attend. Please click the link below 5 minutes prior to the Mass beginning. https://stjudecatholicchurch.net/live-stream/ In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don’s name to St. Jude Catholic Church (204 N US-1, PO Box 3726, Tequesta, FL 33469) and St. Christopher Catholic Church (12001 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455). For online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com

Donald J. Hammel

June 29, 1937 - March 30, 2024