John W. Hamilton

John Willis Hamilton, of East Meredith, NY and Seminole, FL, passed away at home in East Meredith on September 13. He was surrounded by his wife and children all day. His loving wife was at his bedside when he peacefully took his last breath. He was born in Plainfield, NJ on April 25, 1939 to James Kenneth Hamilton and Eileen Gamble Hamilton. He is the grandson of Maude Hanford Hamilton.

While attending school in Plainfield he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and played trumpet in the band. He graduated from Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. During his school years he worked on Kenny Kelso’s family farm in East Meredith and on the Yerkes Farm in Pipersville, PA.

After college he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Frances Wing, and eventually bought a farm in East Meredith, NY. John was active in the Meridale Fire Department, the Meridale Emergency Squad, and the Meridale Presbyterian Church. He was a member and office holder in the Delaware County Farm Bureau and served on the Delaware County Planning Board for many years. He also played the role of Santa Claus in the town of Meredith for many years.

A couple of his most rewarding community accomplishments were organizing the Meredith Dairy Fest and starting a 4-H club affiliated with the fire department to foster youth interest and participation in emergency community service. John was an avid antique watch collector and attended Horology classes at the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors in Columbia, PA.

He is survived by his sister, Patricia Hamilton of Colts Neck NJ, his wife Mary, and his children Joan Richards, Pamela Hamilton, Roger Hamilton, Sheilah Burnham, and Jennifer Hamilton. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, a great grandson, and the family of Robert and Valerie Hoffman of Albany NY.

A private family service will be held on September 20th and a celebration of life will follow at 2 pm at the Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Meridale Fire Department at 50 County Hwy 10, Meridale NY 13806 or to the Hanford Mills Museum at 51 County Hwy 12, East Meredith, NY 13757.