Peter Hamilton

Peter Farrell (Pete) Hamilton, June 25, 1932-April 18, 2017

Peter was born in Montclair, New Jersey to Gilbert and Alma Hamilton. The second of four children, he spent the first twelve years of his life moving around to many different cities including Bloomfield, Verona, Glen Ridge, Asbury Park, New Jersey; Bridgeport, Conn., Tampa, Fl, and Buffalo, New York. Between the Great Depression, and his father serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, much of the travel revolved around those two Historical events.



In 1946, Pete's family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically Mill Valley in beautiful Marin County, California. Pete graduated from Tamalpais High School in 1950. After graduation he enrolled in the College of Marin in Kentfield before enlisting in the Army. He was stationed at Fort Ord, in Monterey County, before going overseas to Japan during the Korean War. In about 1954 after his discharge from the Army, Pete resumed college courses and entered the workforce in San Francisco. He was employed by American Red Cross and American President Lines, then later for Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Berkeley.



In the late 50's/early 60's Pete worked seasonally at Fallen Leaf Lake, near Lake Tahoe, Ca, and also at Remuda Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona (at that time "The Dude Ranch Capital of the World"). His family loved to vacation at both of these destinations. Pete and his sisters, Lois and Sue met up at Lake Tahoe in September 2014, enjoying wonderful memories of the area.



Pete was falling in love before moving to Santa Barbara, CA, and in 1970 he married the love of his life, Marcelle Nelson. Marcelle had four children and the youngest two moved to Santa Barbara with them. Their house was tucked in the beautiful foothills, and Pete worked tirelessly to maintain the incredible landscape. More than one forest fire came too close for comfort but fortunately they escaped any damage.



Family and friends came to visit often, and thoroughly enjoyed their time there. Pete and Marcelle were super hosts, great cooks always trying new recipes, and dinner was never, ever served on a cold plate, Heaven forbid!



In Santa Barbara, Pete was employed by E.G. & G. and Burroughs Corp. for many years.

Pete loved his wife Marcelle, the sun and the beach, his family, gardening and puttering, cooking and eating, vacationing in Hawaii, music (Ralph Sutton, Louis Armstrong, Hawaiian music, Big Band etc..) crossword puzzles, and watching Jeopardy on TV.



After Marcelle died in 2000, Pete struggled with the often foggy Santa Barbara weather, and eventually moved to Palm Springs for a year (Remember, he LOVED the sun!). When he realized that being closer to family would be an advantage, Pete moved to Wickenburg, AZ where his sister Lois and her family resided. As his health declined, he moved to My Father's Retirement Ranch. A bad fall in November 2016, led to a prolonged recovery, which necessitated assistance at two different Residential Care Homes. Complications from the injury continued and Pete passed away peacefully on April 18th.



Pete was preceded in death by his parents Gil and Alma Hamilton, his loving sister Nancy Hamilton, his brother-in-law Bucky Walters, and his beloved wife Marcelle.



He leaves behind two devoted sisters, Lois Walters of Wickenburg, AZ and Susan Tomasello (John) of Berkeley, CA.



He also leaves behind a niece Nancy Walters, nephews Don Walters (Brooke) and Mike Walters (Tonya). Grand-nephews include Kyle Brinkman, Austin Brinkman, Michael Walters Jr., and Grand-niece Megan Walters. Step-children include June Adelmann (Rodger), Larry Nelson, Vicki McCaslin (Jeff), Mimi Nelson. Step-Grandchildren Savana Nelson, Marcelle McCaslin, Eva McCaslin, Jamie Menache (Jim). Step-Great Grandchildren Benjamin Menache, Jack Menache.



The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful, compassionate care provided by staff and caregivers at My Father's Retirement Ranch in Wickenburg and Caring Hearts Home and Surprise Assisted Living in Surprise and also Hospice of the Valley.