After dedicating a lifetime of service to the Village of Leonard and Addison Township as a public official and firefighter, Charles M. Hamilton, passed away Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003 at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester Hills. He was 83.
Hamilton, a lifelong Leonard resident, was the living embodiment of community spirit, wearing many hats during his decades of public service, but always with the same selfless purpose ? to help his neighbors and fellow residents.
“He was a busy man, not an idler. He was always working,” said his wife of 61 years, Eleanor (Dubois) Hamilton. “Anything he could do for his community, he was right there. He was born and raised (in Leonard) and always cared about the community. He was always very compassionate toward everyone. He adored children. He sure was one peach of a guy.”
Hamilton was one of the original 12 volunteers who founded the Addison Township Fire Department in 1949. He served with the fire department for 35 years, spending 1972 to 1978 as chief and 1978 to 1984 as assistant chief.
After he retired from the department in 1984, Hamilton continued to play a vital role in its operation by serving as an appointed member of the township fire board from 1994 to 2000.
Current Fire Chief George Spencer first met Hamilton in 1998 when he was hired as chief.
Spencer described Hamilton as having a “positive perspective and out-look on life.”
“He was just a great guy,” the chief said. “He was well-respected. He was a good, honest, hard-working, do-anything-for-you individual.”
Marlene Mallia, who served with the fire department from 1972 to 1997, described Hamilton as a “very good chief” who was “concerned not just with the village and township, but with the people” on a personal level that comes from knowing and living with them.
“At the time, I’ll bet (Hamilton) knew every single person in the township,” she said.
Despite the department’s tight budgets, Hamilton “did his best to keep the equipment up-to-date” ? purchasing two new GMC pumper trucks in 1973 and 1974 ? and make sure all the firefighters received the best training possible, Mallia said.
When it came to fire personnel performance, she said Hamilton was a stickler.
“He was gentle, but could be very stern at times. He had a serious side that would not tolerate mistakes or wrongdoing,” Mallia said.
As a fire board member, Mallia said Hamilton played a big role in helping to expand and upgrade the department’s equipment, but always with “a careful finger on the finances.”
“If we couldn’t afford it, he wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t overspend,” she said.
Mallia said she will miss Hamilton.
“He was more a friend than a chief,” she said.
Geno Mallia, Sr., who served on the fire department from 1955 to 1994, said Hamilton was “one of the most conscientious chiefs the department’s ever had.”
“He was fair, but if you screwed up, he’d let you know it,” he said. “He was like Teddy Roosevelt. He spoke softly, but carried a big stick. The firefighters liked and respected him.”
Geno described Hamilton as a “pillar of the community” and a “good friend.”
“He’d do anything for you,” he said.
Hamilton’s public service was not just limited to the fire department.
For 50 years, he served as Leonard Village Street Commissioner, responsible for everything from managing the road funds to salting, grating and repairing the streets plus maintaining the sidewalks and storm drains.
He also served as a building inspector for the village and sat on the Leonard Village Council.
Besides local government, Hamilton was heavily involved in the community by coaching little league, junior league and adult baseball teams, being an active member of Leonard United Methodist and serving as a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #334.
Hamilton was the son of the late James and Arvilla Hamilton, of Leonard, and a 1936 graduate of Leonard High School. He married Eleanor Dubois, daughter of Rev. E.H. DuBois, on August 14, 1941 at Leonard United Methodist.
During World War II, Hamilton heeded his country’s call to arms and enlisted in the army just nine short months after his wedding. For four years, he served in the 21st Engineers Army Air Corp. in the African and European theaters.
After the war, Hamilton worked in security for General Motors Truck and Bus for 39 years.
Hamilton served twice as co-Grand Marshall of the annual Leonard Strawberry Festival Parade ? once in 1998 with his wife (who served as Leonard Village treasurer for 26 years) and once in 2002 with Edward Porter and Mike Schlusler, who are now the only surviving members of the original 12 Addison firefighters.
When he wasn’t working, volunteering or dedicating his time to his community, Hamilton was an avid sportsman who particularly enjoyed fishing.
Hamilton is survived by his children Sherry (Karen) of Concord, California, Christopher (Beverly) of Attica, Steven (Debbie) of Attica; grandchildren Kayla (Douglas) Southwell, Kristin (Eric) Calhoun, Korry, Steven, Matthew, Andrew and Stephanie; great grandchild Ryan; many nieces and nephews; and sister Jean Smith of Drayton Plains.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 27 at Leonard United Methodist Church with the Rev. Hal Nelson officiating.
Hamilton was buried in Lakeville Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were made by Roth-Muir Funeral Home of Romeo.
Memorial contributions are being collected to install a handicap ramp at Leonard United Methodist.
Donations can be directed to either the church at 254 E. Elmwood or Eleanor Hamilton’s home at 4757 Forest.
For more information about the memorial ramp you can call the church at (248) 628-7983.