A THANKSGIVING Mass for the life of retired Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Oscar Ernest Llewellyn Hamilton, A.A., was yesterday celebrated at St. George’s Cathedral on Company Path, Georgetown, where he was accorded military honours.

A thanksgiving service being held at St. George’s Cathedral for the late Dr. Oscar Ernst Hamilton

His remains were thereafter cremated at the Good Hope Crematorium, East Coast Demerara.
Born on September 20, 1927, Dr. Hamilton died on September 13, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, exactly one week before his 85th birth anniversary (yesterday); ironically, the day on which his solemn final rites were performed.
Dr. Hamilton, who served his country with distinction, and made an indelible impression as a medical doctor, was eulogized by his daughter, Margot Hamilton, during the service as one who was well respected in his field. He worked and lived in England for some time, where he earned his M.D. in Medicine and Surgery before returning to his homeland Guyana to make an exceptional impact, Margo said.
Dr. Hamilton was a member of the Guyana Defence Force, and served as the army’s medical doctor for many years, rising to the rank of Leiutenant Colonel. During this tenure, he received the distinguished insignia – the Arrow of Achievement (A.A.) Medal Award.
He also served as the doctor in charge of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown; as the private doctor of the late President Hugh Desmond Hoyte, and his wife, Mrs. Joyce Hoyte; and as a physician at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he served on the Medical Council as well, while maintaining private practice at his clinic on Lamaha Street.
According to Margot, he was a force to be reckoned with while serving in his many capacities as a Medical Doctor.
Dr. Hamilton was also eulogized as a person with a strong allegiance to the Mount Olive Lodge and Rotary Club, in which he worked his way up to the level of District Grand Master of Ceremonies. After dedicating most of his life to the Masonic Order/Lodge, Margot said, Dr Hamilton was called to serve the Lord in the Church of St. George’s Cathedral, receiving official confirmation on 18th April, 2004.
Concluding her eulogy on a very emotional note on behalf of the grieving family members, Margot asserted, “Happy birthday, Dad, husband, grandfather, friend, colleague and cousin. We will miss you dearly and remember you fondly. May your soul rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Hamilton was remembered by his son Myles as a wonderful father, a man with a great love for his family, a stickler for discipline, and a man of few words; but whose communication was ‘action’. He had been an action-oriented person.
“It is obvious that dad touched many lives. He lived a life of deep resilience and a strong will. Integrity and hard work were his lessons, and today his influence remains on us,” Myles remarked, adding, “I garnered strength from him… He was my hero.”
A past president of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Dr. Hamilton was acknowledged for his sterling contribution to the Club. In a tribute read by Mr. Fitz Mc Clean (also a Past President of the Rotary Club), Dr Hamilton’s leadership in that position was highly commended.
Mc Clean recalled that during Dr. Hamilton’s stewardship of the Rotary Club of Georgetown in 1986, the Year of Service, he initiated a number of innovative projects. Some of these were: the construction of the Eccles Nursery School and rehabilitation of the Children’s Convalescent Home in Durban Backlands; along with successful fund-raising initiatives. Mc Clean concurred that Dr. Hamilton was a stickler for discipline, and never allowed procedural violations to go unchallenged.
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, an on his own behalf, Mc Lean extended heartfelt sympathy to the widow and other members of the bereaved family.
Essentially, Dr. Hamilton was held in high esteem, and commanded the respect of all those with whom he came into contact, Murray recalled.
Dr. Oscar Hamilton leaves to mourn his widow, Mrs. Joy Avril Hamilton; five children; several grandchildren, other relatives and friends.