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George Hamilton Obituary
George E. Hamilton, age 57, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2008, at home.
George was born December 4, 1950 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of George W. and Marion E. Hemmer Hamilton.
George was a man who was the traditional unsung hero, working behind the scenes to make sure that the equipment and processes were up and running. He held a number of job titles in his 38 years at the Times Herald-Record in Middletown. Decades ago he was the one who made sure the paper got into type, fixed the machines that set the type, operated the camera that took pictures of the pages to send to the press.
As technology advanced, he kept the system running so classified ads could get into the paper. He was a systems technician at the time of his death. In 1994, George came out from behind the scenes to work on the frontlines as he joined newsroom staff in covering the 25th-anniversary Woodstock celebration in Saugerties. For five days and nights, George hunkered down in a tent with a jerry-rigged transmitting unit, sending pictures taken by the five-man Record photo team. Working long into the night George moved more than a hundred photos that chronicled the event in the next day's Times Herald-Record. As the team packed up to leave George commented that it was the most fun he'd had in newspapers in years.
George was paid for what he knew, but it was who he knew that was most important to him. At the Times Herald-Record, George knew everyone, talked with everyone and made people throughout the building a part of his circle of friends, acquaintances, folks to talk with.
He found a real home in the tech services department and his friends there - Jason, Keith, Fred and Jesse - remember him as a gentle bear of a man, a genuinely good-hearted person who could always be counted on when something needed to be done. To them he was an old dog who was always learning new tricks, and someone who always spoke his mind. It didn't matter whether it was to his friends, ad takers in the classified department or the CEO, George let people know what he was thinking.
George had special talents rare among tech crews. He could make even the most novice user feel that they hadn't caused a problem. "The computer got stupid," he'd say, and a reboot would make everything fine.
George's friends will miss his soul, his spirit and his friendship.
He is a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY.
George is survived by his parents, George and Marion E. Hamilton of Port Jervis; his brother, William Hamilton and his wife, Christine of Londonderry, NH; two sisters, Nancy Hamilton of Wheat Ridge, CO and Catherine E. Hamilton of Middletown, NY; his niece, Elizabeth; his nephew, Timothy; an uncle, Louis Hemmer and his wife, Charlene of Liberty, NY; two aunts, Gloria Hemmer of Jeffersonville, NY and Julia Hemmer of Liberty, NY, and several cousins.
A Memorial Blessing Service will be held on Wednesday, November 5, at 11 a.m. at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY (845-856-3312), with the Rev. George Hafemann officiating.
Private Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send condolences to the family, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Hamilton
Art Benjamin
November 16, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of George's passing. We were high school classmates. Condolences to the family.
Muriel Boykin
November 5, 2008
George was a special person, he was everyone's friend! He always keep me laughing. I will miss him so much. George was family to all of his co-workers! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Carl Nelke
November 4, 2008
I am so sorry. I just found out about George's passing. I can't believe it. I am crushed beyond description. He was my right hand guy for so many years. I came to work at the THR in the spring of 1981 to run the computer/electronics support operations. George introduced himself and immediately became my right hand man on the night shift. I can't tell you how many times the phone rang at 1 or 2AM and there would be George. Despite what was coming apart, I had to grin. He would do whatever it took to either fix a problem or continue to get the paper out until I could get there. My God, I am so sorry he is gone.
George was the most stalwart, solid, faithful, and at times entertaining person I have ever known. He has been at my side in so many crises I have lost count long ago. The THR owes him so much and they will never know. I will never ever forget him. I will never ever stop missing him.
I sit here hammering this out remembering George and I still grin after all these years. That is good. George, see you later.
Rosemarie Moore
November 4, 2008
George who often the last person I would see at night and the first in the morning. You would walk by and just look at me and I knew you were up to something or had already done something to my desk or chair you rearanged by desk at least once a week and lowerd by chair at least 50 times in the past 38 years. You made my day and were so funny. Every time something went wrong with my computer I would say George and you would say you can't hurt it. Get up so I can show you how stupid this computer is. They say America runs on dunkin. I think George kept the Record running. I will miss you George. My thoughts and prayers are with you his family. Many friends come and go but family will always be family.
Michelle Montgomery
November 4, 2008
Dear Hamilton Family,
I haven't worked with George in a few years, but I could never ever forget him. He & I worked pretty well together, he was my original "Wing Nut" - funny guy from off the beaten path, who would always find a different way to do things to keep it interesting. He will be truely missed. He and his family are in my thoughts during this sad time. Please take peace in knowing what a wonderful man he was and that everyone really loved him. I will miss him dearly.
Jane Russell
November 4, 2008
George...I only hope you realized how many lives you touched so deeply. You always found a way to make people smile at even their most stressful moments. I guess God needed another angel with a sense of humor. He got the best! You will be missed more than you could have ever thought possible.
Patrice Hamilton
November 4, 2008
My deepest condolences to the Hamilton Family. I will miss George very much. Working with him was certainly interesting. I remember when Leslie introduced me to him on my first day at the Record and she said, "there are those who are completely insane yet at the same time a total genius... that's George." I got to know that all too well in the past 5 years. I'm gonna miss all of his catch phrases. I'm gonna miss all the times he'd get the wrong phone calls at work on account of us having the same last name. Every day he'd ask me to go get ice cream with him at lunch time, even in the winter, but I'd decline the invitation. I never understood why it had to be ice cream but I'm glad one day we did finally go and we had a very nice talk over some ice cream. May he rest in peace.
Maryanne Buccellato
November 4, 2008
George was one of the most interesting people that I have ever met. He was so intelligent and knew about everything. He was a great person and always made you feel welcome. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. May God bless him and his family.
James DeGroat
November 4, 2008
I saw George once per week and we would talk for an hour if we both had time. George was a customer of mine and became a friend through the past 3 years. George would tell me all his events of the week and he would listen to mine.
Good Man!
I will miss him!
Kristin Doetsch
November 4, 2008
Although I haven't been in touch with George for quite awhile, we worked together for a long time. Such a flood of great memories of a really great guy. The look he'd sometimes have when helping those of us who are "technically challenged", saving the last mounds bar for me when I was pregnant, lunch at that "delicious diner", back in "The Old Days" spending hours developing negatives because the processor was once again on the fritz, to his crazy sayings that make everyone laugh.
George when I think of you I smile. And that is the greatest gift of all. Heaven now has one of its truly kindest souls.
Bonnie Courter
November 4, 2008
To the Hamilton Family
George was a really great man. He was my Dennis the Menace of today! He would laugh every time I called him that. He liked my baking and 1 day he came to my house and I made sugar free apple cookies for his Dad. He would come to the house & set up my Life drive that he said I had to have. Lunches were always a trip, and he liked that he got to drive my Mustang convertible......
I can't put into words how much I will miss him.....and I think about him all the time!
John Kelliher
November 3, 2008
George,Marion & Family,There are no words that can express our sympathy adequately.Please know you are in our hearts and our prayers and God will give you the comfort you need. John&Audrey Kelliher
Nakia Hickman
November 3, 2008
George's heart was gold. He made everyone around him feel special. He called me the leader of the wing nuts. I didn’t know what a wing nut was so I asked him and he told me it's the thing that keeps the screws (ups) tight and in place. George would play a lot of practical jokes but he also was always there for me. He would pick me up or drop me home when it snowed and when I was pregnant and was craving Indian or Mexican food he would go with me. I will miss my buddy. He's definitely irreplaceable.
Lori (Reed) Weikel
November 3, 2008
Words cannot express how sad it is to hear of your passing. You and your family were such a HUGE part of my childhood. You will be sadly missed. Enjoy yourself up there!!!
Jonnie Pepper
November 3, 2008
George… I don’t even know where to begin. I will miss you very much! I will miss hearing all of your funny stories, my chair missing from my desk, my nic nacs mysteriously falling over when you walk by my desk, my chair suddenly moving backwards while I am working, calling you every time I have to change my passwords and most of all seeing your smiling face everyday. Who is going to help me now? You told me they canceled my vacation last week but I would never have imagined those would be the last words you spoke to me and that you would be gone when I came back. I am so glad I had the chance over the last 2 years at the THR to become your friend. I had a great time at lunch and will miss you deeply. This place will never be the same without you.
janet elia
November 3, 2008
George was a great person and friend. He will always be remembered.
Vicki DeFrancesco
November 3, 2008
George
You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jenn Carley
November 2, 2008
George,
You were a good person. You will be missed. You are in a better place now.
Mary Force
November 2, 2008
George,
You were a real sweetheart and we are lost without you.
Mary
Robert Cross
November 2, 2008
Although I have not seen or spoken with George since our high school years, I remember him as a good and fun-loving friend. Kind, friendly, and a general all-around nice guy is how I remember George--and it appears he never changed over the years. My prayers and thoughts are with George's parents and other family members during this difficult time. God bless.
George and Doris Hammond
November 1, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at this time.
Leslie Oldfield
November 1, 2008
George... where to start! My first thought was his ability to make us all laugh! Some of George’s favorite sayings that come to mind: "You're OK for a short person"; "The computer is on the fritz because you reached the end of the internet", "The computer isn’t broke, there's just a short between the keyboard and the seat", and the best of them all... "He/She is the President and CEO of make a mountain out of a mole hill construction company"! I will truly miss him and all of the knowledge that comes with 38 years at the Times Herald Record.
Jacquie Palmer
November 1, 2008
There are only a handful of people who come into your world, and touch your life in a fashion like George did. Some people are just a flicker of light, while others are a consistent glow. For me George was a glow. He was very funny, extremely generous and just a great friend. I will miss him.
Steve koczak
November 1, 2008
George was a good man, a great work colleague and had a wonderful sense of humor. I will miss his presence at those IT lunches at the Chinese restaurant where his humorous stories brought a smile to all.
Theresa (McKeon) Talmage
November 1, 2008
Iam very sorry to hear of your loss. I remember George well from childhood. He was always very friendly and kind to all he knew.I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
Theresa
Olin & Marie Benedict
November 1, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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