George A. Hammer Jr.

East End real estate and hospitality icon George A. Hammer Jr. passed away on Tuesday, March 1 at 93.

Mr. Hammer was a prominent real estate appraiser and salesman and owner of the landmark Montauk Chalet which later became known as the Shepherd’s Neck Inn for 50 years until selling the business in 2006.

He later championed the rights of East End homeowners as a tax reduction consultant, challenging local property assessments and saving clients thousands of tax dollars. His efforts saw him profiled in the New York Times which dubbed him “Tax Quixote.”

Mr. Hammer continued his tax work and served his many clients until the final year of his life.

He served in the United States occupation Army in Japan after World War II and saw heavy combat as a member of the 101st Airborne Division in Korea.

He is survived by his wife Marie, his oldest son, George A. Hammer III and his wife Danielle, another son, Michael Hammer and his partner, Deborah Dragon, and his beloved only daughter, Carolyn Giardina, and her husband, Emanuel.

He is also survived by his deeply loved, sister and brother, Jane Dwyer and Ernest H. Hammer and closest friends, Barbara Rehren, Bill Bart, George Kreuscher and Luis Ochoa.

His son Jeffrey L. Hammer sadly passed away in 1994.

Mr. Hammer will also be deeply missed by his five grandsons, Stephen M. Austin, Joshua Hammer, Jacob Hammer, Alexander Hammer and Brian Hammer.

A wake will be held at Werner Rothwell Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach on Thursday, March 10 from 7 to 9 PM. The funeral will take place at Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, also in Westhampton Beach on Friday, March 11 at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery. 

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