Obituary of Donald Duane Hamilton

Age 88, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Don was born in Elmira, a son of Lloyd and Bernice (Smith) Hamilton. He was predeceased by his young sons, David A. and Martin A. Hamilton; infant daughter Theresa D. Hamilton; former wife Rosemary A. (Cantando) Hamilton; sisters, Ada Harvey and Wanda Hayes; brother Ivan "Butch" Hamilton; son-in-law Robert S. Cox. Don is survived by his children and their families, Bonnie J. Himmelreich of Saratoga Springs NY with children, Erin (Aaron) Camp, Sara (Paul) Daly, Ryan and Troy Himmelreich … Mark D. Hamilton of Euless TX with daughters, Katie and Madison Hamilton … Michael S. and Bonnie Hamilton of Elmira with children, Brittany, Kasey, Victoria and Ian Hamilton … Carol S. Cox of Saratoga Springs (fiancé Peter Spoor) with children, John (Courtney) Cox and Alexandria Cox … Jeffrey J. and Cathy Hamilton of San Tan Valley AZ with daughters, Jessica Farley and Erin Howell … Holly C. and Christopher Cox of Horseheads with children, Emily, Abigail and Jackson Cox … Scott J. and Ingrid Hamilton of Issaquah WA with son Jordan Hamilton … Tracey H. and Brian Fitzgerald of Painted Post with daughter Caitlin Fitzgerald; great grandchildren, Jordyn, Gabriel, Skyler, Ella, Levi, Adeline and Mia Camp, Myles, Brooklyn, Elyse and Jayden Daly, Michael Reznor, Christian Reep, Ava and Rylann Naroski, Vincent Farley, Zachary and Alexa Howell; sister Sibyl Burke of Buffalo; former son-in-law Mark Himmelreich of Holiday FL; former sister-in-law Elizabeth "Libby" Cantando of Horseheads; several nieces and nephews. Don had served in the US Marine Corps and was a Korean War veteran. He was the owner and manager of Kiton Korner Grocery Store on Oak Street in Elmira for over 20 years. Don enjoyed his volunteer work in transporting food to local food pantries. He was a devout Catholic and he treasured the time spent with his children and grandchildren. Don's faith and his family were the most important things to him. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church, 604 Park Place, Elmira, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. A livestream of the Funeral Mass will be available through the Facebook page for Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic). Military honors will follow outside of the church at the conclusion of the Mass. Burial will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. COVID-19 protocols will be in effect and the church capacity will be 90 people. In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to a fund established to restore the eyesight for Don's son Jeffrey who lost his sight years ago. Donations may be directed to Michael Hamilton, 240 Fairway Ave., Elmira NY 14904.