Joshua 'Josh' Evan Hamer, 15, Of North East

Joshua "Josh" Evan Hamer of North East, 15, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017. He was born on April 2, 2001, in Denton, Texas, to James Eric Hamer and Jennifer Leigh (Abbey) Hamer.

Josh was kindhearted, outgoing and had a genuine love for life. While he loved all sports, Josh lived and breathed baseball. Josh was always active and loved being with people. He enjoyed music and dancing. Josh was competitive, hardworking and intelligent. He was active with school and youth groups. Josh's contagious smile was always present and could light up any room.

Josh is survived by his father, James "Jimmy" Hamer, mother, Jennifer Hamer, maternal grandmother, Cheryl Abbey, paternal grandmother, Zoeann Jenkins, paternal grandfather, William E. Hamer, Sr., three brothers: Jacob Edward Hamer, Jason Elliot Hamer and Justin Eric Hamer, four uncles: Jason Abbey, Justin Abbey, William E. Hamer, Jr. and Todd E. Hamer, three aunts: Donna Merlino, Karen Hamer, and Tami Vishio, several cousins, extended family members and many loving friends.

A visitation will be held for Josh on Monday, March 6, 2017, between 6 and 8 p.m. at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 111 S. Queen St., Rising Sun, MD 21911. There is a special visitation for members of the John Carroll community from 3 to 5 p.m., which is sending buses from the school at 2:45 p.m. Those interested should register to save a spot on the buses, which will return to John Carroll at approximately 6 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Josh's honor at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, 150 S. Queen St., Rising Sun, 21911.

Burial will follow at Brookview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Josh's memory can be made payable to the "Joshua Hamer Memorial Baseball Scholarship"; send in care of R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.O. Box 248, Rising Sun, MD 21911.

— Obituary and service information from R.T. Foard Funeral Home.

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The John Carroll School will hold a school-wide prayer service at 9:40 a.m. on Monday, March 6. Parents and other community members are invited to attend.

After news of Josh Hamer's death broke last week, classes were canceled Thursday and Friday at the school.

On Monday, March 6, the school day will start at 8 a.m. at John Carroll.

There is a special visitation for members of the John Carroll community from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, March 6, at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 111 S. Queen St., Rising Sun, MD 21911. See details about buses above.

For the funeral, people are advised to use discretion.

"Please note that St. Agnes [Roman Catholic Church] seats 150 to 200 people. Out of respect for Josh's family and close friends, we encourage you to consider the capacity of the church when you are deciding on attending the funeral," John Carroll said in a statement. "The Hamer family will appreciate your presence at any of the services listed, or simply the prayers for Josh and them that you hold in your hearts."

Burial and Scholarship Fund

John Carroll has set up a giving page to offset the funeral and burial costs. Any extra funds raised will go toward establishing a John Carroll scholarship in Josh's name.