South Muskoka Hospital Foundation director dies

Paul Hammond pictured. (South Muskoka Hospital Foundation)

The South Muskoka Hospital Foundation announced the death of its director, Paul Hammond, via a social media post on Tuesday.

According to the organization, Hammond raised more than $10 million for the foundation in his time with them.

He joined the board in 2005. In 2023 he received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Bracebridge and the 2024 Award of Merit from the Town of Bracebridge.

“His devotion to the foundation was legendary,” the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation said in the statement.

“The people of our community are so much the better for counting Paul in their midst, as he personally ensured that the best health care would be available at our hospital,” the organization said.

Hammond was also a volunteer firefighter for 18 years, he was appointed to the Ontario Judicial Council and served the chair for the Ontario Trucking Association.

According to an online obituary page posted by Hammond’s family, he was 79 at the time of his death and briefly spent some time in hospice care, despite being an active board member.

“Grandpa was nothing but generous with his time, unwavering support or just a listening ear,” the statement from his family read.

“It is hard to capture all that was Paul Hammond, Grandpa was larger than life in every sense, from his sharp wardrobe including hats, or his two-toned vehicles, classic or modern,” his family said.

He was the youngest of nine children and leaves behind, a wife, two children, three grandchild and a great-grandchild.