James S. Hamilton

James Shannon Hamilton

November 17, 1928 - December 17, 2014

Shortly after his birth on November 17, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, Jim's parents, C. George and Margaret Wilson Hamilton, immigrants from Scotland, moved to Staten Island with his sister of dear memory, Mary Hamilton Cahalane. All precede him in death.

At 17, he joined the Marine Corps, completed paratrooper training, and served in the Pacific, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Jim earned his BA from Manhattan College, class of '53, and after a year at Columbia Law School, joined Francis I. DuPont as an investment broker in New York City. In 1965, he became manager at the DuPont office in Terre Haute, Indiana, moving to Indianapolis in 1969, to manage the DuPont office there. From 1980 through 1995, he served as Managing Partner of Contract Draperies of Indiana, Inc., a family owned business serving commercial clients.

Jim was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, and since 1979, of St. Matthew Parish, Indianapolis. He served faithfully on Sunday mornings on the collection counters committee for over ten years. Jim was ever grateful for his Faith, and the community of friends developed at IHM and St. Matthew's. He was an avid reader, enjoyed classical music, especially the opera, and in fact, all the fine arts.

Being a member of THE BEST SET, a neighborhood couples group that played volleyball every Sunday night for over twenty-five years, enriched his life with dear friends and treasured memories.

Married in 1959 to Sandra Doyle, together they saw with joy their children graduate from college, marry wonderful spouses, and add 16 beloved grandchildren to the family. He is survived by his son, James and wife, Catherine (Gates) and their sons Andrew and Ryan; daughter, Julia and husband, Marcus Cziesla and their children Lauren and Christopher; daughter, Jennifer and husband William Brady and their sons: William, Patrick, Michael and John; son, Jeffrey and wife, Kimberly (Semler) and their children: Patrick, Mary, Grace and Connor; daughter, Jeanne Margaret and husband, Clint Hardin and their daughters, Ella and Christina; son, John and wife, Angela (Elstner) and their children Collin and Lilly. The love and support of his children, their spouses and the grandchildren, as well as their close relationship with each other, was one of Jim's greatest treasures.

Survivors also include his nephews, John and Thomas Cahalane; nieces, Elizabeth (Cahalane) Grimaldi and Susan (Cahalane) Cicalese, Sheri Doyle, Denise Doyle, Lori (Doyle) Mohr, and Sandra (Doyle) McCullum.

The family is very grateful for the exceptional and compassionate care James received from the staff of Riverwalk Village Nursing Home in Noblesville, Indiana.

Friends may call from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2014 in Flanner and Buchanan- Broad Ripple . A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2014 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 4100 East 56th Street, Indianapolis. Burial will be in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.