Martin Joseph Hamilton

1949 - 2024

Martin Joseph Hamilton
November 29, 1949 - September 1, 2024
Father to Brenden, Trever and Dylan; grandfather to Dinea, Naliyah and Sage, son and brother. He was a kind and faithful friend to all who knew him.

The 9th of 12 children born to Louis Ashton and Margaret Prendergast Hamilton in St. Louis, Missouri, Martin spent his early years in the idyllic1950's - altar boy, scout and popular teammate in any sport he played.

In 1964, the family moved to Southern California when his dad took a new job, and arrived just in time for Martin to begin high school and become a part of the historic social changes of the era. A popular student leader at Bishop Amat High School, Martin played varsity football, served as a student council member and was the Pep Commissioner.

Martin moved to San Francisco in 1968 to study at the University of San Francisco and made the Bay Area his home for the rest of his life. Academically, Martin earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Marine Biology, before beginning a lengthy career in higher education. Beginning as an admissions officer for the College of Notre Dame and New College of California, then as vice president and finally president of the New College of California, Martin was the embodiment of the servant-leader.

Along the way, Martin became an activist for social justice. He was granted status as "conscientious objector" during the Vietnam War. He walked the walk, from working alongside Mother Theresa when she opened her soup kitchen in San Francisco, to marching with Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia in support of the indigenous people of Chiapas, and countless other important causes. He would, and literally did, give the shirt off his back, or his last dollar, to help someone in need. After retiring from higher education, he helped create and manage the Arlene Francis Center in Santa Rosa. Martin was the real deal. He loved unconditionally and lived in service to others.

He is survived by his beloved sons Brenden, Trever and Dylan, all of whom made him so proud. In addition to his sons and grandchildren, he is survived by siblings Alan, William, Marc, Stephanie, James and Louis, and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his former wife Arlene, his parents, and siblings Jeffrey, Mary Georgia, Jocelyn, Margaret and Thomas.

A Celebration of Life for Martin is scheduled for Sunday, November 10th at the Arlene Francis Center - 99 6th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95401.