George Whitney Hamilton, 96, passed away peacefully at home on July 15, 2024.

George was born on Nov. 22, 1927, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the son of George Daniel Hamilton and Marion Estelle Hood. His father died at the age of 29 when George was 7 years old. George spent his early years with his maternal grandparents, Vinton and Cora Hood, at their home in Millville, Massachusetts. He attended Northbridge High School while living with his beloved paternal grandparents, William and Edith Hamilton.

After high school, George worked for two years at Whitin Machine Works to save enough money for his first year of college. He was unable to serve during World War II due to a childhood disease which left him with a perforated eardrum. He enrolled at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1948, where he rang the college bell in exchange for room and board. He earned a BA in history in 1951 and received his master's degree in history from Boston University and later his CAGS in secondary education administration also at Boston University.

Working in the dining hall at Bates, he met the love of his life, Marcia Hilton Penniman. They were married in Framingham, Massachusetts, on Aug. 16, 1952, and were married for 69 years. They started their married life in Plaistow, New Hampshire where George taught seventh and eighth grade history and science. They later moved to Hingham, Sturbridge, and eventually to Northborough, where they lived the rest of their lives. There, George served as chairman of the social studies department at Algonquin Regional High School until his retirement in 1987. George loved to tell people that he enjoyed his retirement for more years than he worked.

George spent every summer in Boothbay Harbor, Maine after he met Marcia, and they also were fortunate to spend over 30 winters in Florida.

Throughout his life George blended his love of history and carpentry/woodworking. He built five houses for his family and friends and rebuilt or renovated many more. He enjoyed woodcarving and furniture making.

After he retired, he volunteered for about 20 trips to repair homes in rural southern towns through the Appalachian Service Project with his Westborough church. He was an active Boy Scout leader for over 70 years and served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as a boat crew Coxswain for 20 years. He was active in the Historical Societies wherever he lived and also served on the board of Sturbridge Village. He was a member of the Sudbury Minute and Milita Company and was granted a sabbatical from teaching to go on a reenactment of Benedict Arnold's march to Quebec in 1975. The list of his hobbies goes on and on, including gardening, baking, ringing handbells, and singing in choirs and choruses. He was a man of deep faith and an active participant at a church in all the places he lived. He always felt extremely blessed by his church families and thankful to live a long, wonderful life.

He was predeceased by Marcia in 2021, and he leaves his three children, Deborah McQuade (John), Marcia Buss (James), and George Hamilton (Theresa); his six grandchildren, Julie McQuade Ladimer (Gary), Keith McQuade (Precious), Sarah Riviere (Matthieu), Kristen Buss, Benjamin Hamilton, and Thomas Hamilton; and six great grandchildren, Estella Ladimer, Sophie Riviere, Brian Ladimer, Vesper McQuade, Charlotte Riviere, and Grady McQuade.

A private family burial will be held in Framingham and a Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 24 at Westborough First United Methodist Church in Westborough.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Appalachian Service Project through Westborough Church, the Southport (Maine) Historical Society, the Northborough Historical Society or the Northport (Florida) Community United Church of Christ.

To view George's online tribute, share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.chiampafuneralhome.com. Arrangements under the direction of the Chiampa Funeral Home, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.