Clayton Arnold Hamilton, CD

Clayton Arnold (Red) Hamilton, 90, died peacefully in his sleep at his Qualicum Beach home December 6th, 2023.  We are heartbroken at our loss but greatly comforted he has joined our mother Joyce, his devoted wife of 65 years.  Predeceased by his parents, Clayton I and Margaret Hamilton, and his siblings, Ken, Joan, and Margaret, he leaves behind his four children Wanda (Daniel), Catherine (William), Victoria (Leslie) and Clayton III (Daphne), his grandchildren Peter (Gina), Adam (Bryanna), Christine (Aaron), Michael (Jade), Matthew, Joshua (Danielle), Jessica (Josh) and Clayton IV (Meagan), 11 great grandchildren, and his longtime friend and caregiver, Junette Adachi.

Born in North Battleford, SK in 1933, and after moving to Victoria, BC in 1949, Dad joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in1954.  At his first posting in Toronto, he met the love of his life, Joyce, whom he said was “too beautiful for a farm boy like me”. They married in 1955 and had four awesome kids. As a young Aircraftsman in the big city, he held down two additional part-time jobs to ensure his family was well looked after - an early and tangible testament to his life-long and heartfelt commitment to the well-being of his family.  He, Joyce and the kids enjoyed many postings across Canada and Europe throughout his career, rising through the ranks to Captain. In his 37 year long career, he served with distinction in aerospace medicine and hospital administration. We are enormously proud of his distinguished service and his contributions to landmark Canadian military projects such as the Anti-G suit for pilots, hyperbaric chamber research and the development of some systems of the Avro Arrow. 

Following his retirement from the military, they moved to Qualicum Beach, where he was an avid contributor to community improvements, progression and charities, as well as a very frequent sight at the local golf courses and cigar shops.

An avid Canucks fan, Dad first played hockey on bumpy, makeshift patches of ice in Saskatchewan and, from what he said, using curved tree branches as  sticks, Sears catalogues as shin pads, and frozen cow dung as a puck.   He became quite an accomplished hockey player and later enjoyed coaching minor league hockey, a shared experience with his namesake Claytons, John and Jordan.

Dad was an accomplished DIYer, home wine maker, and a strong and willing garden worker, spending countless hours to deliver our mother’s  vision of a gorgeous English garden at their Qualicum Beach home.  He was a hands-on grandfather, sharing his skills and experience with his grandchildren, who particularly appreciated him sharing his view of life, wisdom, and humour over power tool lessons, chess games and Disneyland trips.  As Dad would always say "I may be old, but I know stuff!"

Dad’s entire life was a testament to friendships, “can do attitude”, power of positive thinking and hard work.  This was particularly exemplified following a broken neck in 2008, which doctors said would leave him permanently paralyzed. Following long hours of painful rehabilitation at Aberdeen Hospital and an arduous recovery period at home, Dad astonished all by proving them wrong. He walked with pain and a lopsided gait, but the determination to walk beside his love and resume his golf game with his group of close friends served to demonstrate his amazing level of intestinal fortitude.

He will be enormously missed. We can only hope we honour his legacy  by carrying on with the values he so lovingly and patiently passed along to us - love of family, loyalty, and an unswerving work ethic.  

Rest in peace Dad, we love you.    

A private family commitment ceremony will be held before cremation at Yates Memorial Parksville.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Wounded Warriors Canada are appreciated.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Red's house between 14h00 and 17h00 on 6 January 2024.  All are welcome come come reflect on a life well lived and a wonderful man.