Michael D. Hamlin

Michael D. Hamlin, 67, went home to be with the Lord February 24, 2025 after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer. He is survived by Sarah, his loving wife of 42 years, mother Phyllis, sons Zachary, Max and Sam (Becca), grandson Sawyer Michael, brothers Charley (Abby), David, Greg, Jamie (Annette) and Tommy (Karen). He is preceded in death by his father Tom and his grandson Beau William.
Born in Akron, Ohio, Mike is one of 6 sons to Tom and Phyllis Hamlin. He attended Holy Family School and was a 1976 graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School. He attended Akron University, earning degrees in Early Childhood Education and later Respiratory Therapy. While working at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center as a respiratory therapist, Mike attended business classes and earned a Masters degree in Marketing. He worked most of his highly successful professional life in the medical equipment field, finishing his career as Director of Sales for Masimo in 2022.
Throughout their years together, Mike and Sarah shared many loves - books, movies, music, travel and, most of all, friends and family. They thoroughly enjoyed hosting social gatherings at their home, and they had a knack for making everyone feel welcome. Mike's off-color (and loud) sense of humor, coupled with Sarah's Southern belle charm, made for a lethal hosting combination and memorable get-togethers. Their very popular Christmas parties became the stuff of legend.
Mike loved to read, and even though he could never match Sarah when it came to voracious reading appetites, he retained a life-long curiosity about the world around him. His tastes in books included everything from mysteries to military histories to explorations of God and the human spirit.
Mike and Sarah shared many travel adventures and loved exploring new cities/countries/cultures. They especially enjoyed riverboat cruising throughout Europe, and each journey added to their impressive collection of pictures, stories and joyful memories.
In his later years, Mike became an avid cyclist, even adding a second home in Florida so he could ride his bicycle year round. 20+ mile day trips became quite routine for him. He also did a biking tour of Napa wine country and completed a 350-mile trek from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C.
When visiting Mike and Sarah's home, one could always expect music to be playing throughout. And while Mike enjoyed different types of music - mostly rock, R&B and folk - his true musical soulmate has always been The Beatles - to the point where he transformed an entire wall of his rec room into a re-creation of the Abbey Road album cover. But he not only enjoyed listening to music, he also liked to read about various artists and the stories behind their music. To challenge Mike with any type of musical trivia was a hopeless cause.
But what Mike and Sarah loved most was watching music performed live with good friends. Whether attending local artists (especially their son Zach), traveling to folk music festivals, or dancing to the zydeco strains of Mo Mojo, they truly loved and appreciated watching musical artistry on display.
Mike and Sarah have shared a wondrous journey beginning that day they met in a bar in Buckhead, Georgia, where Mike was working as a bouncer. Along the road they've loved and supported each other and their boys through joy, loss, laughter and heartache. And through all the ups and downs, they held tightly to one another - and they danced. While Mike and Sarah's earthly time together may be ending, their soundtrack continues. Music has always been the food of their love - play on.
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe
Calling hours are Thursday, February 27, 2025, 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home, 3333 Kent Rd. in Stow.
A funeral mass will be held Friday, February 28, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Stow. Mass will begin at 11:00 am, luncheon to follow in the lower church level.
FOR OUT OF TOWN FAMILY AND FRIENDS, MASS WILL BE LIVE STREAMED. VISIT
www.holyfamilystow.org AND SELECT "Video Resources " UNDER THE MENU.