Richard B. "Rich" Hamaker

Austintown - Richard B. "Rich" Hamaker, 51, of Austintown, died Saturday, December 27, 2008 at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown with his family at his side. Mr. Hamaker was born October 23, 1957 in Youngstown, a son of Richard C. and Janet Patterson Hamaker. He was a life long area resident. He was a 1976 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. After an automobile accident in 1982, Rich was rehabilitated and remained active at a wheelchair level. He graduated Youngstown State University, where he received his Associate's Degree in Accounting and his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He worked for the Mahoning National Bank for 17 years, where he worked in deposit services and was a debt collector. He also worked for Alltel for 9 years working in their finance department. Rich was a member of the Greater Youngstown Crime Clinic and the Wickliffe Presbyterian Church. He was very active in sports. He joined the YMCA "Hot Wheels," a wheelchair basketball team. In 1994, Rich was the recipient of the Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital's Triumph of the Human Spirit Award for overcoming his disability. One of Rich's hobbies was collecting hats, especially military style ball caps. He was an avid Cleveland Browns and Tribe fan. Rich was always optimistic, always had a smile on his face, and he loved to joke and make people laugh. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his parents of Austintown; his wife, the former Amy J. Mott, whom he married September 19, 1998; one sister, Judy Wertz of Youngstown; one brother, Wally (Nannette) Hamaker of Las Vegas, NV; five nephews; four nieces; two great-nephews; his father and mother-in-law, Edward and Rosemarie Mott of Youngstown; four brothers-in-law, Gary Mott of Youngstown; Terry (Nancy) Mott of Diamond; Douglas (Nancy) Mott of Westminster Md., and Tom (Maryann) Mott of Columbus; and his yellow lab, Zoe. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland. Family and friends will be received Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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