Stephen P. Hammond died of natural causes on Feb 3.

Born Sept. 16, 1960, as the son of a mechanic, it was no surprise that at the age of four he could be found at his father’s repair shop, complete with striped coveralls, ready to help. After attending West Bridgewater and Bridgewater elementary schools, he continued his mechanical interests while attending Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical School. His interests at this time included music, the CB radio (the cell phone of yesterday), model building, cars and model railroading — a passion shared by his father.

Stephen’s train layout was an elaborate one that survived the move to Martha’s Vineyard in 1981 when the family moved to the Island, and it continued to be a wonderful and creative outlet. Not long after his arrival, Steve found employment with Martha’s Vineyard Auto Village, affectionately known as the Ford garage, located on State Road in Vineyard Haven. There he began to make many lifelong friends, making the adjustment to Island life an easy and happy one. After the auto village closed, Steve joined the team at Old Colony Service Corporation in Edgartown. Steve continued to work at Old Colony until it too closed its doors. He next worked at the Pit Stop, an independent garage in Oak Bluffs, bringing with him a friend, Greg Johnson, from both previous employments.

Finally he decided to do something different. Both Stephen and his brother Kevin worked the overnight crew at the Edgartown A&P, later to become that Stop & Shop. Stephen and Kevin were brothers and best friends. One could rarely be spotted without the other, be it at the post office, Reliable Market, Linda Jean’s Restaurant or in one of Stephen’s Ford Falcons.

With Kevin’s death, Stephen became his mother’s right hand. He did everything that needed to be done. He had lots of friends and family and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was predeceased by his father Kenneth and brother Kevin. He is survived by his son Joshua Hammond, his mother Lillian Perkins Hammond, sisters Gail Hammond and Karen Anacki, brothers Thomas, Walter and Robert Hammond, and many aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Ashley Funeral Home in Middleboro. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, April 29 at 10 a.m.