JOHN HAMILL

1937 – JOHN HAMILL – 2023 John Hamill of Medicine Hat, AB, beloved husband of the late Kathryn Hamill, passed away on Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 at the age of 86 years. John leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Sue Jennings of the UK and Julia (Shane) Ogilvie; as well as siblings, Jim Hamill of the UK, David Hamill of the USA, Michael Hamill of the UK, and Ishbel Hamill of Australia. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 47 years, Kathryn Hamill and his parents, John and Julia Hamill. John was born on April 16th, 1937 in Liverpool, GBR. As a single man, he entered the British Army in Mala and was posted in Cypress as a Corporal. It was in Cypress that his first daughter, Sue, was born. Following this first posting, John attended Military College where he obtained his Engineering Degree in Aircraft Mechanics and he became a REME (Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineer) and a Millwright. Following his education, he was sent to Germany for the first time, and that is where he welcomed his second daughter, Julia. John had several subsequent postings including Madrid, Cypress, Borneo, Malaya, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, and Germany. As his military career was winding down, he was dispatched to Ralston for a 9-month training session. It was here that he met Kathy Palmer. Following the completion of this training, he was posted to Middle Wallop, where he and Kathy were wed on September 13, 1975. John retired from the British Army as a Captain in the Airborne Division. Together, John and Kathy returned to Ralston to settle down, and went to Springers Ranch, where John would try his hand at wrangling and even Bullriding! All roads eventually led to Medicine Hat. John was entrepreneurial and he owned and operated his own business, Tilden Rent-A-Car and Gas station, before moving on to become the General Manager of the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce. In his later years, he worked at the Elkwater Ski Hill as a Hill attendant as well as in the Tack Shop and then from 2017 -2020 he served as the Admissions Advisor at the Academy of Learning. During his time of residency, John became the VOICE of Medicine Hat when he hosted Hamill’s Hotline and the Garage Sale on local radio station, CJCY. He was dedicated to community and economic initiatives and served the City of Medicine Hat as an alderman from 1992-1998 and then again from 2001-2013. He also ran for mayor twice, in 1997 and then again in 2017. Never an idle man, John served as Board Chair for several committees including the Economic Development and Infrastructure, Energy division, Highway 3 development, Ports to Plains, AUMA Finance Chair, Finance Chair Special Forces Pension, and Cypress View Foundation, as well as the Tourism Medicine Hat Board. In 2010, John became the official MONOPOLY MAN for the Canadian version of the Monopoly Game. He was a giant in life and he was unequivocally the champion for all people. He had a heart bigger than life and he really wanted to make a difference. He had a smile and a handshake for anyone he met. He was the Medicine Hat Greeter, carrying around Medicine Hat Pins, and giving them out to anyone visiting our city so they would know the beauty of the wonderful city he adopted as home. He lived every day without reservation. There was not a day that he would let the sun set without putting in his maximum effort. He had a tremendous work ethic and brought this to his daily life. He had an amazing and innate way of communicating to everyone, old and young alike. He had a huge heart for philanthropy and was a long-standing member of the Masonic Lodge and the local Shrine Club, where he served as president several times. He provided outreach to anyone who had issues with their children, often lending a hand for transportation and with general help in anyway needed. John also had a way with animals. Both, he and Kathy were huge advocates for the SPCA, and in 2020 he did a “mustache dye” on St. Patrick’s Day to raise funds for their charitable organization. John was also an avid sports enthusiast, always being able to discuss any current game but his heart was truly set on the greens! He was a skilled golfer and spent his spare time honing his skills. Everywhere he traveled he made sure to visit a golf course and give it a go, always looking for a birdie. John was a loyal friend and a loving husband who will be greatly missed and remembered for his passion for all things great and small, his big, beautiful mustache, his voice, his staggering drive to make a difference, and his gigantic Irish heart. The Memorial Service for John will be held at the Cypress Centre, Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Grounds, 2055 – 21 Avenue SE MEDICINE HAT, AB, on Thursday, August 17th, 2023 at 3:00 pm with Rev. Dr. David Carter officiating. John and his beloved wife, Kathy will be interred at St. Margaret’s Cemetery on Friday, August 18th, 2023 at 12:00 pm. Memorial gifts in John’s memory may be made to the S.P.C.A., 55 Southview Drive SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading John Hamill. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to

SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL
CHAPEL CREMATORIUM &
RECEPTION CENTRE,
“The Chapel in the Park
#1 Dunmore Road SE,
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5
(403)528-2599
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