Stephen M. Hamel, 67

Stephen M. Hamel, of Haverhill, passed away on March 28, 2026, at Lawrence General Hospital, with his loving wife Deborah at his side.

Stephen was born in Haverhill on March 6, 1959. He was a 1977 graduate of Haverhill High School, and graduated from Northern Essex Community College in 1979 with an Associate Degree in Computer Technology. He immediately gained employment at Malden Mills in Lawrence, where he stayed for nearly 20 years.  He then moved on and advanced his career as an IT Specialist at BAE Systems in Merrimack, NH, where he retired from in 2021.

He immensely enjoyed singing, had a great voice, and so looked forward to his Friday nights working as a karaoke DJ at the AOH in Peabody, where he had quite the following. He was known as Cowboy Steve, and many great friendships were formed there. He enjoyed hosting parties as well as attending, often times with his equipment in tow.

Stephen was a true family man, and a true friend to those who counted in his life. He loved watching all Boston sports teams, collecting sports memorabilia, and as mentioned, singing. He always bragged that he had never worked on his birthday in his entire life, and a casino was always where his day or evening would be spent celebrating.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Deborah Gleason Hamel, his son Mark R Hamel and wife Emma, his stepdaughter Sarah Cardello and her husband Jeff, and their daughter, his first grandchild, Leena Charlotte Cardello; Billy Poirier; his twin sister, Susan Riley and partner Randall Bennett; sister Donna McIntosh and husband Glenn, all of Haverhill. He also leaves behind his in-laws Bob and Mary Renaud, brothers-in-law Michael Renaud and wife Melanie, David Renaud and wife Kathy, Brian Renaud and wife Tracey; sister-in-law Doreen DeChane and husband Mike, and many nieces and nephews. Stephen was predeceased by his parents, Philip and Shirley (Case) Hamel, his brother Kenneth Hamel, and his best friends, and partners in crime, Wade Van Coppenolle and Dave Messina.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Monday April 6th from 4PM until 7PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 7^th at 10:30 AM at St. Lucy’s Church, 254 Merrimack St., Methuen MA. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity on your choice. Please visit www.comeaufuneral.com or Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook.