MILFORD - Esther M. Hamel, 78, loving wife of Raymond P. Hamel Sr., passed away Dec. 24, 2008, surrounded by her family. She was born Feb. 21, 1930, in Old Town, the daughter of Warren and Alice (Cox) Burr. She was the beloved mother of five daughters and two sons. Esther has gone home to be with the Lord. Esther is survived by her husband, Raymond Hamel Sr., of Milford; two sons, Raymond "Peter" Hamel Jr. and his companion, Barbara Foster, of Milford, and Warren Hamel and his companion, Ellen Gilio, of Milford; five daughters, Deborah Hamel of Lincoln, Janice Bacon, wife of Terry Bacon, of Milford, Patricia McCarver, wife of Glenn McCarver, of Clarksville, Tenn., Gail Agrell, wife of Ralph Agrell, of Milford, and Carol Hamel of Tustin, Calif.; three sisters, Arlene Brissette of Uncasville, Conn., Audrey Howe of Old Town, and Betty Dionne, wife of Wayne Dionne, of Old Town; two brothers, Russell Burr of Rockville, Conn., and Ronald Burr, husband of Vivian, of Knoxville, Tenn.; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Church, 429 Main St., Old Town, with Father Bill Labbe officiating. Interment will be in the spring at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Old Town.