Obituary of Leonard Hamilton

Obituary HAMILTON, Len - With great sadness, we announce the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Leonard Ralph Hamilton. Len died peacefully at Rapelje Lodge on February 9th in his 84th year. Len was the loving and devoted husband of his dear wife Florence (Richard), and prior to her passing of Liliane (Demers) Hamilton. Len is survived by his children Marc (Pauline), Hélène (Eric) and Richard (Carol), his grandchildren Cheryl (Geoff), Shelley (Jason), Laura (Colin), Michael, and his great-grandchildren Korinna, Nathan, Alexander, Liliane, Jackson and Max. Len leaves behind his sister Patricia and brothers Ron, Ken, Jim and Bill. He will also be missed by Florence’s family (Richard), children Brian, Hélène (Sam) and Patrick and grandchildren David, Trevor, Katie, Bobbi, Jake, great-grandchildren Emma and Easton as well as many nieces and nephews. Len was born in Welland, Ontario to the late Archibald and Leona Hamilton, the fourth of twelve children. Len worked for Bell Canada for 35 years, until his retirement in 1991. Len was predeceased by his parents Archie and Leona and his many brothers and sisters and his angel great grandson Andrew. He was an avid sportsman and won countless honours during his long athletic career. Len was coach and a volunteer with Welland Minor Hockey and Welland Girls’ Hockey Associations and played and coached fastball into his mid-fifties. Many Wellanders still talk with enthusiasm of Len’s skill at the plate! Len was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Bellerophon, and was honoured to attend Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation at the age of 18. He served the Cadet Corps for many years, including as Commanding Officer. He volunteered countless hours with the Navy League of Canada (Welland Branch), the Bellerophon Drum and Bugle Corps, the local Lions Club, and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #4. Len touched many lives with his sense of humour, intellect, generosity, strength of character and extraordinary personal integrity. We will continue to love him and will always miss him. Our family thanks the compassionate and dedicated staff at Rapelje Lodge’s 200 House who supported and cared for Len for the past several years. Your gentle balance of kindness and humour improved Dad’s quality of life and your sensitivity to our family is much appreciated. In keeping with his final wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will welcome their extended family and friends to join them for a time of remembrance at the WELLAND FUNERAL HOME 827 East Main Street, Welland on Friday, February 23rd 2018 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held Paroisse Sacré Coeur on Saturday, February 24th 2018 at 11 a.m. Private interment will be held at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations to Paroisse Sacré Coeur will be appreciated by the family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leonard Hamilton, please visit our floral store.