Victor C. Hamersky

Victor Hamersky, 83, died on September 21, 2018 at Aldersgate Village.

He was born on February 3, 1935 in Maryville, Missouri the son of Ollie and Veronica (Walk) Hamersky.

Vic attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Maryville for eight years. His freshman year he attended Horace Mann High School, Maryville High his sophomore year and part of his junior year, then graduated from ACCHS at Effingham in 1954.  He then attended Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri.

He worked a short time in Atchison before joining the Army in October of 1954.  Vic took his training at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and then went to Clerk Typist School in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.  He then transferred to Ft. Carson, Colorado and worked in the Division Headquarters of Personnel Records.  He transferred to Korea to the 7th Repl. Company and then to Seoul, Korea.  Vic was discharged from Ft. Lewis, Washington of October 4, 1956.  He enjoyed his term of duty and learned a lot.

Vic was a Grocery Manager for Lindy’s Food Center for 20 years, a Director for the Shawnee County Refuse Department for five years and an Office Assistant for the Kansas State Grain Inspection Department for five years.

He was a member of St. Matthew Church since moving to Topeka in 1964 and served on several committees at the church.  Vic was President of St. Matthew PTO and on the School Board for Catholic Schools.  He was a member of the St. Matthew Knights of Columbus Council.

He was also a member of Highland Park Optimist Club and held several offices including two years as President.  Vic also served at the “Just Say No’ committee for the Optimist International and for the Lieutenant Governor for Kansas District Zone #12.

Vic loved to play Santa Claus and did so for over 30 years for St. Matthew and many other groups in and around Topeka.  He has many memories of being Santa Claus including…Getting bit by or snapped at by a dog, having his chair brake when too many high school kids wanted to sit on his lap for pictures and the one that really got me was when a little girl wouldn’t come see him and when he asked why she said she did something and didn’t want to get his suit wet.

He also coached baseball at one time but that didn’t work out too well since they only won one game.

For those who know about the Chicken Robot.  The Optimist said it would never happen but he was able to get a Representative from Washington DC to present it to the Sheriff’s Department and another one was given to the American Lung Association in honor of his son, Ray Hamersky.  The Chicken was paid for by Pepsi Cola and all Optimist Clubs of Topeka and built by St. Francis Hospital.

He married Mildred on August 27, 1960 in Effingham, Kansas and she predeceased him on June 22, 1991.  He was married to Edwina Craver-Hamersky in Topeka on April 25, 1992, she survives him.  He is also survived by three sons, David (Kelley) Hamersky of Berryton, Raymond (Linda Pape) Hamersky of Topeka, Paul (Sheri) Hamersky of Lecompton, two daughters, Inez (Robbie) Surber of Topeka and Debra Storm of Pilot Point, Texas, two step sons, Kirk (Jane) Craver and Jack (Carolyn) Craver all of Topeka, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, seven step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren, and a sister, Christine Nigh of Bethleham, Penn, two step brothers, Marvin and Joe Wilhelm and a step sister, Geraldine.  He was preceded in death by a daughter in law, Dianne Hamersky.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Francis, Al, Richard and Morris Hamersky, four sisters, Isabele Babcock, Dorothy Gray, Phyllis Phillips and Armella McPhail, three step brothers, Urvin, Volley, and Francis Wilhelm and one step sister, Ethel.

Vic will lie in state at St. Matthew on Thursday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Church.  Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Matthew Catholic Church or Faith Lutheran Church.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.