Rev. Thomas Hamilton ❤️, a beloved priest, devoted family man, and passionate model train enthusiast, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2024.
Born on June 5, 1953, in Owensboro, Kentucky, to Tom and Virginia Hamilton, Father Hamilton ❤️ was raised in San Diego, California. From a young age, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his faith and a profound sense of purpose. His journey toward the priesthood began early, inspired by a deep-seated calling and nurtured by his family’s support and love. As a child, Father Hamilton ❤️ enjoyed playing with his sisters while pretending to be a priest—a playful foreshadowing of his future vocation.
Father Hamilton’s ❤️ early years were marked by a fascination with model trains, a passion that would remain a cornerstone of his life. At just three years old, he received his first train set from his father, sparking a lifelong enthusiasm that led to an impressive collection of collectible trains. His mechanical aptitude and enthusiasm for trains were matched only by his kindness and compassion, which he carried into every aspect of his life.
After graduating from high school in 1971, Father Hamilton ❤️ entered the Marist Seminary in San Francisco, where his dedication to his vocation was evident. Prior to his seminary education, he worked as a truck driver for his family’s company, Hamilton Industries. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 10, 1988, and incardinated into the Archdiocese on September 25, 2004. He served at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in San Francisco; St. Robert Parish in San Bruno; All Hallows Church in San Francisco; St. Anthony of Padua in Novato; and St. Gabriel Church in San Francisco. He served as the Grand Chaplain of the Young Ladies Institute (YLI) and as the Chaplain of the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, he served as the Dean of the Sunset Deanery and was a member of the Presbyteral Council, the Parish Subsidy Committee, and the College of Consultors.
Father Hamilton ❤️ is survived by his three sisters, Susan Martin-Bradley (Jim), Sharon Gross (Victor), and Sandra Hobbs (Clint), and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Virginia Hamilton, and his faithful dog, Lizzie Mae, who was his constant companion and source of comfort for the last twelve years.
Father Hamilton ❤️ was known for his strong character, deep faith, and remarkable ability to connect with others. He was a source of comfort and guidance to all who knew him, embodying the virtues of kindness, compassion, and unwavering faith. His love for his family was evident in every aspect of his life, and he extended that love to the many individuals he considered his extended family within his parish community.
Marian Devotion to the Memory of Fr. Hamilton ❤️
Opening Prayer:
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, we come to you with hearts full of gratitude and remembrance, honoring Father Thomas Hamilton ❤️, your devoted servant who now rests in the embrace of God. Through your maternal love and boundless mercy, carry him to the eternal light of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and let his soul be at peace, held in your unfailing care.
Meditation:
Mary, our Mother, you who stood with faith and love beside the cross of your Son, understand the sacrifices and devotion of those called to serve. Like your beloved Son, Father Thomas ❤️ devoted his life to loving and guiding others. Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, and raised in San Diego, he answered the call to priesthood early in life, serving in humility, compassion, and faith. His journey to the Marist Seminary and then his ordination in 1988 were marks of a life shaped by the grace of God and a love for his people.
Through his roles as Chaplain in the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office and Dean of the Sunset Deanery, Father Thomas ❤️ embodied Christ’s love for the marginalized and gave hope to those in need. His remarkable devotion as a priest was matched by his tender love for family and his lifelong joy in model trains—a passion born from a cherished gift from his father when he was only three. May he find his eternal joy in God’s kingdom, where every prayer he offered and every life he touched is rewarded with the peace and happiness of Heaven.
Litany of Mary:
Response: Pray for him, O Holy Mother of God.
Mary, Mother of God,
Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted,
Mary, Queen of Priests,
Mary, Refuge of Sinners,
Mary, Queen of Heaven,
Mary, Help of Christians,
Prayer of Entrustment:
Blessed Mother, we entrust Father Thomas Hamilton ❤️ to your loving care. May he be granted eternal peace in the arms of Christ, whom he so faithfully served. Shelter his family, friends, and the parish communities he served, surrounding them with your compassion and bringing comfort to their hearts. Lead us all toward the promise of eternal life, where we will be reunited in the presence of God and share in the fullness of His love. Amen ❤️.
Closing Prayer:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen ❤️.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen ❤️.
Holy Spirit Devotion to the Memory of Fr. Hamilton ❤️
Opening Invocation:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with the warmth of Your love and light of Your truth as we remember Father Thomas Hamilton ❤️, Your devoted servant who now rests in the eternal presence of the Father. In Your compassion, comfort our hearts, and lead Father Thomas ❤️ into the fullness of life with You. May Your eternal peace be upon him, guiding him to the heavenly home he so faithfully served toward on Earth.
Reflection:
Holy Spirit, Giver of Life, we honor Father Thomas Hamilton ❤️, who dedicated his life to serving Your people with steadfast love, wisdom, and humility. Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, he was raised in the warm embrace of a loving family in San Diego, where he first felt the spark of a divine calling. From his youth, the Spirit of faith guided him, leading him to the Marist Seminary and to ordination in 1988—a path he walked with unshakable conviction, sustained by Your grace.
As a parish priest, Father Thomas ❤️ embraced every soul in his care, radiating Christ’s love and compassion. In his role as Chaplain for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, he brought comfort to the troubled and hope to those in despair. His love for model trains, a lifelong joy since receiving his first set at age three, reflected his childlike wonder and his appreciation for the beautiful intricacies of life. Holy Spirit, we trust that just as he lovingly served others, You now welcome him into the beauty and peace of eternal life.
Litany of the Holy Spirit:
Response: Come, Holy Spirit, and renew him in Your love.
Spirit of Wisdom,
Spirit of Understanding,
Spirit of Counsel,
Spirit of Fortitude,
Spirit of Knowledge,
Spirit of Piety,
Spirit of Peace and Joy,
Prayer of Commendation:
Holy Spirit, we entrust Father Thomas Hamilton ❤️ to Your divine embrace. May he rest in the eternal love of God, his spirit renewed and filled with the joy of Your presence. Comfort those who grieve him and fill their hearts with Your peace. May we be strengthened by his example of faith and continue his legacy of compassion and service to others. Amen ❤️.
Prayer for Strength and Guidance:
Holy Spirit, guide us as we honor the memory of Father Thomas ❤️. Fill us with the courage to live in the same spirit of generosity, devotion, and kindness he showed. Help us to walk as he did, carrying the light of Christ to all we meet, and one day, may we join him in the eternal joy and peace of Heaven.
Closing Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with Your love. Be with us in our moments of sorrow and in our moments of joy. Strengthen our faith, guide our steps, and keep us ever close to You. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen ❤️.