Philip Schuyler Hamilton

1929 - 2015

Hamilton Philip Schuyler Hamilton, age 85, passed away November 29, 2015 at his home with his family by his side. Born December 7, 1929 to the late Philip and Mary Kathyrn Hamilton, he was named after his father who was named after his ancestor General Philip Schuyler of the American Revolutionary period. He was proud to be a 4th great grandson of General Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. He grew up in Aliquippa, PA and Monongahela, PA. A 1950 graduate of Geneva College and taught school in Leetonia, Bedford and Warrensville Hts. OH. In Bedford he was involved in promoting Little League baseball. He loved the sport and was a lifelong Cleveland Indians fan. After fighting a successful battle against polio he became interested in local politics and public service. Starting as a councilman in the city of Bedford, he later worked at the Ohio Dept. of Transportation and then became the Director of Personnel at the City of Cleveland for Mayor Ralph Perk. There he also assumed numerous other responsibilities including Director of Health, Director of Economic Development, and Assistant to the Mayor. Following the election of Governor James Rhodes, Phil was named Director of Personnel for the State of Ohio and later appointed to Director of Administrative Services; a Cabinet position reporting to the governor. Upon retirement in 1981, he founded Hamilton & Associates, providing consulting services for dozens of cities, counties, and private organizations around the country. He was very charismatic, loved to talk to people, and made it a point to help everyone on both sides of the aisle. He had the good fortune to meet six U.S. Presidents, members of congress, entertainers, business people, and most everyone who shared in his love of politics. Phil also loved to travel. From road trips to California, Arizona, and Florida in the 1950's and 60's, cruises on the Mississippi, the Rhine and Alaska, to numerous excursions to Europe, the Mediterranean, & New Zealand; he enjoyed them all. For all the miles he traveled around the world, he probably did an equal amount riding his bicycle which he did almost every day for a decade. He is preceded in death by his parents and survived by Patricia Hamilton, his wife of 45 years and their son Jon (Kristen) Hamilton, and four children from an earlier marriage, Dale (Mary Jane) Hamilton, Dawn Hamilton, Debbie (Ken) Swanson, and Douglas (Debra) Hamilton; and also 11 grandchildren, Kevin, Tanessa, Heather, Alexander, Michele, Crystal, Melanie, Elisabeth, Nicholas, Kristen and Mary Kathryn. His 16 great-grandchildren include Hayley, Presley, Rachel, Garrett, Carolyn, Lauren, Grant, Gabriel, Sebastian, Oliver, Abigail, Patrick, Schuyler, Cole, Charles and Hayden. He will be missed by family and many friends. And, as he would say to all at the end of his public speeches, "GOD BLESS AMERICA!" Friends may call from 2-4p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Friday, December 4, 2015 at the SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL 6699 N. High St., Worthington, OH. Where the Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 5, 2015. Pastor Bill Fennell officiating. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions in Philip's memory may be made to the Ohio Knox County Humane Society, 400 Columbus Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH 43050. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory or send a condolence.