Hamilton, Donald Frederick – of Brookfield, passed away peacefully with his son at his side, early in the morning of June 3, 2021. Born in Truro, he was the son of Fred and Florence (Hayman) Hamilton.
He received a certificate in mechanical engineering from Mount Allison, and his law degree from Dalhousie. He practiced law in Tatamagouche for many years before taking the helm of the Colchester Food Bank Association. That showed him a side of poverty that our ways of doing business and existing social safety structures was missing. This coloured his political conscience and led him to join Kairos as a social-justice activist. He and Jean retired to Brookfield, where he volunteered for various organizations and was a member of Knox United Church.
Don loved books; always had one open and a stack on the coffee table. He loved to read about geography, history and politics, never forgot anything that he read. He loved the land and waters, spending countless hours at his camp in East New Annan with family members and their friends. An avid fisherman, he was always the last one off the water. He and Jean enjoyed many trips down the Fundy shore to spend time at their cottage or with friends from away. Don was also an inventor. Sometimes his inventions were simple and practical; sometimes they were dangerous and hilarious, but it was always worth stopping by his shop to see what he was working on. Grampy thought the world of all his grandchildren and would talk endlessly about them to anybody who would listen.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Jean (Cooke) Hamilton; his sister, Arlene Francis; Jean’s children with the late Reverend Lloyd Salsman, Heather Salsman, Rebecca Salsman, Rob Salsman; children, Mark Hamilton and Scott Hamilton; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by stepson, Michael Salsman.
Memorial donations may be made to Colchester Food Bank.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit. A private memorial will be held at a later date.
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