June 14, 2026

PAUL HAMMOND REMEMBERED AS ‘PASSIONATE MUSKOKAN,’ ‘DOER,’ ‘LOCAL LEGEND’ AND GENIAL ‘GIANT’ WHO MADE BRACEBRIDGE BETTER

BRACEBRIDGE — Driving in to Bracebridge this afternoon it’s impossible to miss the impact the Hammond family has had on the Heart of Muskoka.

Passing a Hammond bus on the highway was further proof.

A few years ago a Muskoka Transport would have drafted in behind it.

The vehicles of Orvil and young brother Paul were frequent sights on district roads, driving people, hauling goods and promoting Muskoka beyond its local and Canadian borders.

Yet nowhere in the town is there a sign or recognizing the family for their hundreds of jobs created, rich philanthropy and vast contributions to the community.

This afternoon Paul Hammond was honoured by hundreds of family and friends and former workers who to turned out at the Muskoka Lumber Community centre to pay him deserving homage.

**Family, friends, former Muskoka Transport workers paid tribute to “local legend” Paul Hammond who they all agreed made Bracebridge better. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com**

Most drove or got a ride to the celebration of life. But more than a dozen arrived in polished antique cars and trucks parked prominently among the more modern rides. Which no doubt Hammond would have approved having always wanted to arrive in style in a shiny vehicle.

A “gregarious,” “larger than life,” “colourful” man who was widely and genuinely frequently referred to in a 40-minute video tribute as everything from a “character,” said son Darcy, to a “giant,” “generous,” “passionate Muskokan and pioneer,” “local legend,” “proud father, devoted grandfather,” “determined warrior,” “great man,” “leader,” “hard-worker,” “truck industry lobbyist,” “natural arm-twisting ticket seller,” “community supporter,” “doer,” “huge South Muskoka Hospital advocate and fundraiser,” “committed Rotarian and Shriner,” old tyme’ country music lover” and “antique car and truck collector.”

A “meat and potatoes man — but no salads, greens or veggies.” A grand-daughter said he “loved his desserts and anything with ice cream.”

Hammond was a “big guy” with bigger heart and an even bigger smile.

A genial, gentle “giant” who often knew how to get his own way.

One who showed others “how things are done differently in Muskoka.”

The kind of guy who got things done when he threw his weight and behind a cause like SMMH.

Those are but a few words friends and family used to describe the former owner and founder of Muskoka Transport who died May 24 at Muskoka Hospice in Port Carling after years of living with cancer.

He was 79 and among Canada’s first baby boomers — born Oct. 14, 1946 — to Harold and Marjorie Hammond. The second youngest of nine children. (His father died when Paul was nine.)

A great loss for Bracebridge and south Muskoka all agreed.

**Hundreds filled the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre offering plaudits and praise for the Rotarian, Shriner, former employer and community builder.**

MPP and friend Graydon Smith started the video by saying “you always knew Paul was in the room.

“There was that booming voice, that unmistakeable laugh, and a personality to match. Whether it was a Rotary meeting, community event or a fundraiser Paul had a way of making his presence known and making people feel welcome.

“But what made Paul truly special was not what everyone saw. It’s what happened behind the scenes. Paul was one of those people who believed that if something needed to be done, you simply rolled up your sleeves and got to work. He asked a question I often talk about when speaking about volunteers. ‘How can I help?’ And I don’t know if anybody asked that question more often than Paul.”

He “quietly helped countless people, and families who faced hardship. And as a member of the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation he helped raise millions of dollars in support of local healthcare.

“As a former mayor, I can tell you, it was always great to know that there are people in our community doing the hard work that makes a town stronger. Time and time again, I discovered Paul was one of those people. And more than once I learned that what he had done was even greater than anyone realized. For that, our community owes an enormous debt of gratitude.”

Finally, said Smith: “He left behind a stronger community than the one he found. And a family that loved him. A community that will miss him. Organizations that are better because of his efforts and a town that benefitted enormously from his generosity.”

Nephew Jim Hammond said of his time with his uncle: “When he started driving, the fun began.” And so did the country music turning his nephew into a C&W fan as well as giving him multiple jobs driving transport instead of a bus. “Can you tell your dad I need you for a couple days?”

**Nephews Jim Hammond, left, and Greg Hammond, right, (Orvil’s sons) exchange tales about Paul with friend Doug Ingram.**

Paul and Shirley Hammond started a cartage business in 1967 with one truck and a bank loan. It’s a story of work, successes and failures, with a happy ending.

Then in 2015, when the business was sold, the fleet was 165 semis, 450 trailers, and 300 employees. Many of them on hand.

“What a remarkable story. Paul Hammond and family have focussed on family, work, and community service,” added another speaker. “This is no surprise, since the entire Hammond clan has assisted many members of our community.”

Both Paul and Orvil have received acknowledgements from the town, the province and as chair of the Ontario Trucking Association’s its top award.

Brother-in-law Don Parsons said Hammond “turned negativity into hard work and problem solving. Instead of being angry about the way he had been treated with his younger hardships, he celebrated Bracebridge and Muskoka for everything that was good about it. And he worked as hard as he could to make it a better community than it was.

“He went out of his way to help those who needed the help, like he did when he was young. … But he left a great light for us to follow. He’s gone, but he’s not forgotten.”

**Son Darcy Hammond, right, was overwhelmed with wellwishers and was happy to learn a little more about his dad from each of them.**

Longtime friend Ron Austin, who knew Hammond for 60 years, motored to Florida more than 50 years with Paul and his wife Shirley, who was busy greeting well-wishers Sunday.

“I’m going to miss our adventures. But I’ve had over 60 years’ memories with you, my friend.”

Don Currie remembers serving with Hammond for almost two decades as a volunteer firefighter.

“He knew everybody and would always regale us with tales.”

Hammond leaves his wife Shirley, son Darcy (Mia ) and daughter Kelly (Jim). He was also an especially proud grandfather to Emily (Robert), Tomas (Sarah), and the very best great-grandfather to little Grace, who could always bring out his great smile.

Paul Hammond and Muskoka Transport may be gone — replaced by cold-sounding Titanium rigs now — but the Hammond family lives on on the Muskoka roads. Bussing kids to school and Bears teams to hockey games. Just as generations of the pioneering Hammond transportation clan have done for eight decades. As they continue to rev their motors to keep the Hammond name alive and strong.

Son Darcy said his dad liked to attend funerals and celebrations of life and would always say: “Wasn’t that a nice funeral.”

Well this time he definitely would have been right.