He was born on Great Chebeague Island on Oct. 20, 1923, the son of Ray and Mildred (Turner) Hamilton. He grew up on the island and graduated from Chebeague Island High School.
In 1951 he married his best friend, Beverly Denham, and the couple resided in Bath to raise their family.
James was a Civil Service Worker for the Navy after high school, refueling ships on Long Island, Maine. He was also employed by Bath Iron Works, as a ship fitter, and Hyde School, as a maintenance worker, retiring in 1985.
James, known to everyone as “Papa,” had a love for history, anything you wanted to know he had the answer. In his earlier days, working at BIW, he collected hats from each ship that was sailed from the yard, which usually started the topic of the day at South Gate Restaurant, where he would sit and talk with his friends for hours about its history. James was a book of knowledge. He also knew his Bible through and through. A man of his word.
Nothing meant more to James than his family. He loved spending time with them.
Sharing special moments on Chebeague Island every summer was something that he cherished. He will be sadly missed by all those who loved him.
James was a member of the Woolwich Wiscasset Baptist
Church and the
Corliss Street Baptist
Church.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly Mildred (Denham) Hamilton; four daughters, Cathy “CJ” Bilodeau and her husband, Gary of Durham, Linda Leighton of Emerson, N.J., Lori Larochelle of Bath and Tammy Shirley of Bath; a son, James E. Hamilton Jr. of Brunswick; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Beverly Louise Hamilton Parson Stepler of Chambersburg, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations. If you would like to make a donation in James’ name, please send those to Paw in the Door, c/o Wags & Whiskers, 176 Front St., Bath, ME 04530; or online at www.pawinthedoor.org.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 2 to 3 p.m. with a service held at 3 p.m. at the David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath. A reception will follow at South Gate. Spring interment will be held on Chebeague Island.
To share thoughts and condolences with the family, visit ww.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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