Kirby Hamilton

Kirby Alan Hamilton passed away at the age of 78 in the hospital in Westfield, Massachusetts on the morning of February 22nd, 2025, after living with Alzheimer's disease for several years. In 1986, Kirby founded The Colony Group (TCG), now called Focus Financial, an independent wealth management firm that was one of the original firms to practice under the fiduciary standard, which required advisors to act in the clients' best interest rather than their own. Kirby retired from TCG in October 2011 after helping to sell the firm to Focus Financial Partners. Under Kirby's guidance, TCG grew to over 50 employees and partnered with over 1 billion in client assets under management. In retirement, Kirby remained an advisor and friend to many of the partners he knew and mentored over the decades of his leadership.

Kirby was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 20th, 1947, to Laurence Hamilton and his wife Guelda Hamilton née Pike, the fourth out of five children. The family relocated to South Hadley, Massachusetts for Laurence's work in Kirby's early youth. While a bright and gifted young man, Kirby struggled to fit into traditional educational settings. He briefly attended Mount Hermon School for Boys in Northfield, Massachusetts and the New Preparatory School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After graduating, Kirby went on to hitchhike solo through Spain for a year in his late teens, studying Spanish. He attended Bard College, but left after his freshman year and returned to Cambridge where he worked at Audio Lab in Harvard Square in the 1960's. Kirby was deeply involved in the counterculture scene there, connecting with Ram Dass and seeking a spiritual teacher. His study of meditation led him to Baba Muktananda and the Siddha Yoga path. Kirby was a leader in the Boston Siddha Yoga community, helping found the Siddha Yoga Ashram in the South End of Boston in 1976 and three years later helping to establish the Ashram in Chestnut Hill with his first wife. Kirby married his second wife, Melinda Hamilton née Zell in 1983 and together they had one daughter, Sarah. Kirby and Melinda traveled widely, spending time scuba diving and living on their boat in the Bahamas. They moved frequently, eventually settling down in Santa Fe, New Mexico where they lived for fourteen years before returning to Massachusetts for work in 2006. Kirby spent his final years being taken care of by Melinda in Easthampton, Massachusetts, within 30 minutes of his childhood home.

In addition to his career at TCG, Kirby was an avid skier and mountaineer. He hiked the Inca Trail, Sierras, and the Himalayas. Ever elegantly dressed, Kirby was equally at ease in the Board Room or the wilderness, always wearing his trademark fedora. While he never sought to publish them, Kirby wrote several short stories, both historical fiction and autobiographical, which were circulated and enjoyed widely amongst his acquaintances. He was a quintessential Renaissance man, known by his friends and colleagues for his charisma and brilliance. Kirby was an important guide and resource for many, supporting them in their personal, professional, and spiritual growth. His intellect, storytelling ability, and interest in other people allowed him to connect and make an impression everywhere he went. Kirby is survived by his wife, Melinda; daughter, Sarah; son-in-law, Risher; grandson Gabriel; brother, David; sister, Kristin; and his nieces and nephews.