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Mourners say Bravo Zulu to late veteran, ex-Mayor Jack Hammett

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After a day of memorial services in honor of Jack Hammett, hundreds gathered inside The Hanger at the Orange County Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon to share stories about “Mr. Costa Mesa.”

A slide show featuring Hammett, his late wife and their family throughout the decades provided the backdrop for city officials, veterans and other community members to take the stage and share their stories.

Hammett, a Pearl Harbor survivor and former Costa Mesa mayor, died Dec. 13 in his Mesa del Mar home surrounded by family. He was 94.

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The decorated veteran had many passions: the city, his country, his four children and his late wife, Mary Jo. The two met dancing and shared a love for it throughout their marriage.

“I like to think that Mom and him are now dancing up above us,” said Hammett’s daughter, Angelica Sage.

While many recalled fond memories of “Mr. Costa Mesa,” his two daughters simply remember him as Dad — the military man who mandated that they were home for dinner promptly at 6 every night and took them on camping adventures throughout their childhood.

“You either weren’t coming for dinner or you were there at 6,” said his daughter Jill Marvin. “We’re able to get through all of this because of how we were raised by Jack Hammett.”

Dressed in his signature Hawaiian shirt, white pants and military cap, Hammett was a fixture at many Veterans Day celebrations and other city functions. He spent 15 years on the Planning Commission and City Council, serving as mayor from 1972 to 1974.

Before moving to Costa Mesa, Hammett spent 22 years on active duty in the United States Navy hospital corps, serving in both World War II and Korea. After retiring from the military, he helped found Bristol Park Medical Group in Costa Mesa.

In 2007, he was given the lifetime achievement award for his contributions to the city. “The Farm” sports complex was renamed in his honor in 2011.

“He infected you with his energy, passion and more importantly his love of country and love of family,” said Mayor Steve Mensinger. “Jack would really bring things to life.”

Hammett, along with other local veterans, founded the Freedom Committee of Orange County, a group that provides speakers to deliver “living history” to schools.

Mensinger remembered listening to Hammett speak about his experience at Pearl Harbor.

“It was as if I was watching it in Technicolor,” he said.

Hammett’s memorial began Friday morning with services at St. Joachim Catholic Church. Following Mass, the Costa Mesa Police and Fire departments blocked several city streets to allow Hammett’s family to travel from the church to Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park, where he was buried next to his wife’s plot.

Sage expressed gratitude the whole family was able to say goodbye to Hammett before he died.

“We’re all so thankful that no one has words left unsaid,” she said.

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