Thomas J. Hamilton Sr.

Thomas (Tom) is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn (nee Marrella), daughter Tiffany of West Chester, PA, and son Thomas J. Hamilton, II, (Tara) of Overland Park, Kansas; and his grandchildren John Thomas Hamilton, Anthony Frank Hamilton, Addison Hope Burke, Hannah Elizabeth Hamilton, Mitchell Brian Burke, Augustine Asher Hamilton, and Smyth Miles Hamilton. Tom is predeceased in death by his parents Edward and Anne Hamilton, and his half brothers and sisters, Edward Hamilton, Mary Pizzi (nee Hamilton), Elizabeth Devine (nee Hamilton), Henry Hamilton, Anthony Hamilton, Theresa Kull (nee Hamilton), and Wilfred Hamilton.

Tom was one of a kind with a larger-than-life personality that he honed during his career in industrial sales. He loved meeting new people and had a unique ability to quickly learn about them in short periods of time. He always tried to make those around him feel special.

A proud graduate of Conestoga High School (’64), Tom’s career began immediately after graduation and he went from the mailroom at Georgia-Pacific to cost accounting at Penflex. He spent more than 20 years at Penflex, ultimately becoming Vice President of Sales. The remainder of his career was spent at various industrial metal hose companies, and after retirement he worked in customer service at Pecora Corporation.

Tom had an unmatched work ethic, perhaps best demonstrated by earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting at Villanova University (1979), while working full time that entire period.

Anyone who knew Tom understood that he was an avid sports fan and loved playing sports of all kinds. He participated in baseball and bowling leagues in his youth through early adulthood—even bowling for Marrella Floor and Wallcovering, co-owned by Tom’s future father-in-law, Tony Marrella. As a parent, Tom coached Berwyn-Paoli Little League and youth soccer and loved teaching children—most of all his son—the fundamentals of the game along with good sportsmanship. In later years, Tom enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren compete in their various athletics endeavors.

Tom and Marilyn’s home on Green Hill Lane was a warm and welcoming place for Tiffany and Tom’s friends throughout the years. There was always a game (primarily Phillies, Eagles or Villanova basketball) playing on the TV or radio. And the Hamiltons hosted many Young Life clubs and morning Campaigners meetings.

Even though he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, he loved music—mostly Motown and the Sound of Philadelphia—and would belt out any song he knew the words to. Despite being tone deaf, he appreciated Tiffany’s singing voice and looked forward to hearing her sing in church and on the stage.

Tom rarely ever stopped moving. He was a ball of energy and even after his triple bypass surgery in 2011 continued to play senior softball and pickle ball. At Hershey’s Mill he was often on the courts, including bocci, or at the pool, chatting away.

Tom found immense joy in his seven grandchildren. He spent countless hours with Addison and Mitchell (as he would say, “his favorite grandchildren in Pennsylvania”) and let everyone know about his five grandchildren in the Midwest—touting each one of their talents and traits.

Tom strengthened his faith in later years, and he and Marilyn were in various couple’s Bible studies and members of Christ Community Church in West Chester, where he was also a member of the Senior Men’s Group. Most recently, Tom and Marilyn were in Community Bible Study at Hershey’s Mill, a group that surrounded them with encouragement and support.

Tom, or Hambone to many, touched so many lives. He will be forever missed and live in our hearts.

Service Details

A visitation at 10 a.m. EDT, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. EDT, will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at:

Christ Community Church 1190 Phoenixville Pike West Chester, PA 19380

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/