For those who knew him, there weren’t enough words to describe Gaston Oscar Hamel.
While prominent in the community through his business, Hamel's Meats, he was known for more than just sending his famous beef jerky into space in 2009. Hamel was a man that was kind to everyone, could always remember a name, and will be remembered for his authentic nature.
“He always had time for everybody,” said Greg Hamel. “My dad was genuine in that way. He didn’t just go serve a customer because he wanted their money. That wasn’t my dad. He would visit with people."
On Saturday, April 20, the patriarch of the Hamel family passed away at the age of 86 after a courageous battle with cancer, leaving behind a loving family and a lasting legacy.
To his friends and customers, Hamel was known simply as Gus.
Born and raised in Bonnyville, his parents were the founders of the original Hamel's Meat Market in town, which opened in 1928.
This was where his passion for the industry originated.
Spending most of his time growing up in the shop, that's where Hamel learned the tricks of the trade.
He enjoyed crafting things out of wood, and even built a four-man bobsled in his teenage years.
Hamel had a passion for hockey, and was one of the original members of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in 1952. According to Greg, his father was the first Pontiac to ever score a hat trick.
In the 1950s, Hamel moved to Edmonton where he worked at a meat market with Safeway.
He used the time to learn even more about the industry before meeting his wife Sharon and moving back to the area in 1962.
This was when they opened Hamel's Saveway Meats.
Hamel was passionate about his business and the people he served.
“The nice thing about my dad, is he was in here everyday. I’m 58-years-old and I went to school for a year. Other than that, I think I saw him everyday except for when they went on holiday,” said Greg. “Most of the memories (I have of him) would definitely be in the shop."
Greg described how his father would share stories and get to know his customers.
“Sometimes, his visits with customers, especially when he was here when I was younger… he would serve a customer and they would buy maybe $20 worth of stuff, but would take 45 minutes for my dad to serve them because he always visited with them."
This was one of Greg's favourite memories of his dad.
“He always had time for people. That’s what people liked about my dad,” he continued. “He was genuine that way. My dad was never all about the all mighty dollar. He was about being a good person."
Sharon described her husband as a wise man who was a good listener and "always supportive of events taking place in the community."
“He always remembered (people's) names. They could be gone for 10 years and when they walked back into the store after being posted here they would remember their names as if they had been in yesterday. He had a great memory,” she added.
Over the years, Hamel served on town council, the local school board, and St. Dominic's Parish council.
He was fascinated by the Second World War, enjoyed spending time in his workshop, and loved to travel.
At the age of 71, Hamel developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare debilitating neurological disease. Overnight he became paralyzed. Regardless of some doctors' beliefs that he would never walk again, with the help of his family, Hamel was able to prove them wrong.
Years later, at 86-years-old, Hamel was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
In February 2019, after undergoing treatment, Hamel was told there was nothing more that could be done.
At his father's funeral, Greg explained how Hamel never asked 'why me?' Instead, he said 'why not me?'
He said, "Gus always reminded us that he's had a great and blessed life, that he has more than he deserves."
