In Loving Memory of Dave Hammer (December 5, 1931– May 6, 2024)
Our family and the City of Toronto mourn the loss of a jazz legend, beloved husband to Sandra Hammer; father to Susan Paterson, Eilla Bartels, Gail Hammer, and Kathy Hammer; grandfather to Cole Paterson, Grant Paterson, Mina Bartels, Maya Bartels, Wolfgang Bartels, Bruce Wood, Logan Wood and Noah Trznadel; and brother to Shirley Harris.
Born in 1931 to Morris Hammer and Bessie Silverhart, Dave’s tenor saxophone infused Toronto’s jazz clubs with rhythm, resonating across the city for decades at iconic venues like the Palais Royale, Royal York, Old Mill, and the Beaches Jazz Festival. A graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Dave traveled the world, spreading the joy of jazz and the sound of a big band orchestra. From smoky jazz clubs to grand stages, his adventures took him from Caribbean islands to the Rocky Mountains and across the United States. Dave’s remarkable career led him to share the stage with jazz royalty: Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Anka, Rosemary Clooney, Lionel Hampton, and Patti Page – they all knew the magic of a Dave Hammer solo. As the big band era came to a close, Dave continued to share his passion for music as a dedicated woodwind instructor at Cosmo’s School of Music, where he continued to work well into his retirement years.
But Dave’s legacy isn’t just about his music. It’s about the everyday magic he wove into the lives of his friends and family. As a devoted husband of nearly sixty years and a beloved father, he nurtured his children with boundless love and laughter. Dave had a penchant for the whimsical; he captivated his children with imaginative games and stories, passed on his drawing skills, and was always ready for a spirited game of chase or a toss of the frisbee or baseball. He was attuned to the wonders of nature, delighting in the first robin of spring or thrilling at the sight of a hawk soaring in the sky. He made sure to share these moments with his children, giving a quarter for every bird of prey spotted. These experiences instilled  a profound reverence for nature’s beauty and the rhythm of the seasons. Above all, Dave cherished family drives in the countryside every Sunday. In later years, his grandchildren’s arrivals brought him boundless joy and laughter. He will be deeply missed by all.
Our Father was a man of diverse interests and talents, and it would be remiss not to mention the many hobbies that filled his life in addition to his music. He was an avid horseman who spent many Sunday afternoons at Wagon Wheels Ranch on Musselman’s Lake. He received his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying small Cessnas from the Toronto airport. He also adored his motorcycle and often spent free time zipping around the beaches with either his wife or one of his children on the back. A lifelong collector, Dave was passionately involved in gun collection and trading, as well as being an active member at the Toronto Rifle and Pistol Club. Photography was yet another passion, and Dave amassed an impressive collection of both cameras and lenses. He spent countless hours photographing his passions: nature and his family. He also had a penchant for collecting figurines, mostly ducks, horses, trains, and planes. Dave’s figurine collection remains intact, and the ducks, horses, trains, and planes continue their silent applause.
His life was full in every way. Rest in rhythm, Dave. Your melody lingers, your laughter echoes, and your love embraces us still.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society – https://cancer.ca/en/.