Thomas Rue Hamill

1950 - 2015

Hamill, Thomas Rue, died peacefully at his home in Huntington Woods on February 13, 2015. He was born November 7, 1950 in Royal Oak to Treva (Powell) and Robert Hamill and grew up in Royal Oak and Berkley before the family moved to Highland in his early teens. He graduated in 1969 from Milford High School where he was a member of the track and football teams, attended Oakland Community College and served for four years in the United States Coast Guard. Tom was a trim carpenter by trade working on numerous high-end homes throughout Oakland County. A true Renaissance man, Tom was a guitar maker, boat builder, sailor, ice boater, artist and musician. He designed and built his own home in Davisburg, built and raced a trimaran sailboat, changed the sport of ice boating with innovative hull design and started a band in his late 50s with friends and family members that met weekly and brought him endless joy. He also spent many happy days at his cottage in the Leelanau peninsula. He was a member of the Huron Valley Tribal Council and lived his philosophy of doing right by others. His kindness, wisdom and calm demeanor gained him friends of all ages throughout the world. He is survived by his wife of 16 months, Mary Robertson; step-daughters, Francesca and Alyssa Zino; father Robert Hamill; brother Rick (Chris) Hamill; sister Robin Hamill and sister Jane (Jeff) Harnack; niece Lauren Harnack; nephew Travis (Becca) Hamill; and great-nephew Nic Hamill; as well as many other loving relatives. He was predeceased by his mother Treva Hamill. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 21 at 11 a.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, 837 Hendrie Dr., Royal Oak with the family receiving visitors at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made by noting “Tom Hamill Scholarship Fund” on the memo line of checks payable to Milford High School, 2380 S. Milford Rd., Highland, MI 48357, Attn: Scholarship Committee. The family is being served by Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.