1 week Ago By Amy Maginnis-Honey
FAIRFIELD — It was more than double the love as community members, family and friends celebrated the life of former Mayor Chuck Hammond – the first Black mayor in the county. The Rev. Gary Hill, pastor of Christ-Centered Community opened the event telling the crowd in Willow Hall it was going to be "an extraordinary celebration for an extraordinary man.
" Hammond's family was honored with a proclamation from the city. It was accepted by Hammond's sons, Jeffrey Hammond and Roderick Hammond. Barbara Hammond, their mother, sat between their sons in the front row.
The couple was married 54 years before his death in November. Moy read the proclamation in the signature manner Hammond greeted her: Catherine Pressas Moy, and raising the tone higher for Moy. Dave Gaut led the attendees in a rousing version of "When the Saints Going March in.
" His wife Joan Gaut also played the piano. Larry Taylor took the crowd dating back to 1970 when both he and Hammond wanted the same starting spot on the San Francisco State University basketball team. Hammond won.
When plays did not go the team's way, Taylor would yell from the bench, "Chuck messed it up." The two, over a beer in Kentucky, went on to become friends. Even though Hammond never took Taylor to see the bluegrass in Louisville.
Hammond is the godfather Taylor's two sons, including one who was named after Hammond. When Taylor's daughter was applying to college, Hammond said if she was accepted into Stanford, he would buy her a Corvette. She did, but the car has yet to materialize.
"He had a way of making people feel safe," Taylor said. "If you were in trouble, he was the one that would show up." Retired U.
S. Marine Sgt. Maj.
Jesse Branch met Hammond in 1986. The two had many shared interests including sports. Hammond always called Branch "Chief," which he later learned was a sign of respect.
The pair often walked together on Waterman Boulevard, three days a week, 5 miles each time. Branch often called Hammond at 5:30 a.m.
to remind him. Hammond hinted he might not be there, but always showed up, Branch said. Gary Passama, who headed up NorthBay Healthcare for 35 years, shared how Hammond coached his sons and the impact Hammond had on them.
Even when the game seemed lost, Hammond would offer positive message to the players. "He taught lessons in life," Passama said. On a road trip, Passama learned Hammond slept on the bathroom floor, letting the youth rest in the beds.
Moy spoke of her family and friends working on Hammond's campaign. "He always had that light, that energy in public," she said, "and made us all feel like we were everything on Earth when we were right in front of him." She also shared how he was a father figure to many as well as a life coach.
And, an inspiration to her. When he ran for Solano County supervisor, Moy took another candidate to task over their treatment of Hammond. His answer, "we've got to double the love.
" Terry Smith also paid homage to the city's first Black mayor and City Council member. They met when Hammond wanted to start a youth basketball team and went on to become friends who become "family;" even though they rooted for different college sports teams. While visiting Hammond in a rehabilitation center, after a fall, Smith played the song "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman.
The two held hands during the tune followed by the traditional fist bump. "He was more like a dad to me," Smith said. Hammond was elected to the City Council in 1983.
Fourteen years later, Hammond was Fairfield's mayor..
