Frank Hamilton

Old Lyme - Frank Hamilton of Old Lyme and Harbour Island, Bahamas, passed away in his 95th year on Monday, April 15, 2013. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Frank Watrous Hamilton Jr., was born on Jan. 27, 1918, in New London, to Major Frank W. Hamilton Sr. and Evelyn (Hislop) Hamilton. Frank Jr. graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1936. He went on to Yale, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in engineering in 1940. Immediately after graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the Navy. Frank served on the USS St. Louis, a light cruiser. He was Officer of the Deck when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He sounded the alarm and helped get the ship out of the harbor while under attack. The St. Louis was the only ship to get out of Pearl Harbor during the attack. He became a gunnery officer on the St. Louis, which fought in every major naval battle in the Pacific during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery under fire during the battle of the Philippine Islands in 1944. Frank eventually was promoted to the rank of captain.

In 1945, Frank married Grace Elizabeth Thorndycraft in San Francisco, when he was on leave. Grace was a childhood friend. They were married for 67 years until Grace passed away last year.

After the war, they moved to Washington, D.C., where Frank worked in Naval Intelligence. In 1948, they moved to New Jersey, so Frank could take over the Ulster Iron Co., from his ailing father. After the death of his father, Frank became the president and majority owner of the company. He eventually had to sell off divisions and liquidate others because iron was largely replaced by steel. He joined McKiernan-Terry Corp., in 1953, where he later became president. Twelve years later, he and a partner acquired Smokador Manufacturing Co. He served as chairman until 1973, when he and his partner sold the company. Frank retired from business, moved to Hadlyme and sailed with Grace on their boat up and down the Atlantic Coast from Nova Scotia to the Caribbean for many years. While sailing, he wrote and published several articles and short stories about life at sea. When he and Grace were too old to sail, they retired to Old Lyme and Harbour Island, Bahamas.

They helped found High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme. They also became active in volunteering at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme. Frank also volunteered at the Soup Kitchen at First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. He continued to write, completing two novels. Frank Hamilton Jr. was a kind and gentle man, and he always maintained a sharp sense of humor. He fought off old age with exercise and a positive attitude. Above all, Frank was a true gentleman, and as a result he was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Frank is survived by his daughters, Stephanie Moore of New Canaan, Amy Rice of Wilton; his son, Frank W. Hamilton III of New York, N.Y. and Old Lyme; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 29, at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.

To share a memory of Frank or to leave a condolence, please visit rwwfh.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Inc., 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371, or to the Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT 06371.

Arrangements are by Robinson Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook.