Harry Stratton Hamilton

Harry S. Hamilton Sr. born April 11, 1926, passed September 20, 2016. He was an endangered species- a man dedicated to a way of life that ranked the welfare of others equal to his own. A man who was happiest when helping make someone else happy. A man to whom words like “fair,” “honorable” and “trustworthy” were rules, not just words.

As a boy in St. Petersburg during the Depression, when the abandonment of a father and the sacrifice of a high school diploma were not as important as the next meal, Harry early learned to fend for himself. In his mid-teens he hitchhiked and rode the rails all the way to Chicago seeking odd jobs.

Born Harry Jones, he preferred Hamilton and changed his name. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.

Upon discharge, he returned to St. Petersburg and jumped into the booming post- war used car business. Ultimately he migrated to West Palm Beach and became used car manager for Roger Dean Chevrolet. Always, though, Harry had a nagging flair for commercial real estate. In the late 1960s, the flair became fact. Over the next half century, Harry with varying partners, developed owned and operated over 3,000,000 square feet of commercial structures.

Though Harry developed properties in Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tampa, and Ft. Lauderdale, the great majority of his projects were in West Palm Beach and surrounding areas. The range of his projects went from single standing banks, medical facilities and fast food operations to large shopping centers such as Pine Trail Shopping Center and office complexes such as the Concourse and Northbridge AKA “The Darth Vader Building.” Harry also engaged in operating businesses including used car lots, mobile home parks, property management and marinas. Of all his investments he was most pleased to be an owner of the Palm Beach Yacht Club.

During the summers Harry loved boating, fishing and diving in the Bahamas. In the winter holidays, Paris and San Moritz called him.

He is survived by the treasured memories of many and by Lee, his wife and partner since 1973, his son Larry Hamilton and wife Asmah and granddaughter Haley (Australia), his daughter Robin Hamilton Morrow and her husband John (Santa Rosa Beach). His son Harry Jr. (Sonny) and his wife Judy (West Palm Beach) and their children: Kristina Hamilton Privette (Nick) (Columbus), Jennifer Hamilton Wenzel (Alex) (Jacksonville), Brandon (West Palm Beach) and his invaluable partner for many decades, Gerry Arsenault.

The family will receive friends along with a Memorial Service between the hours of 11am-2pm and 4pm-7pm on Sunday October 9, 2016 at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach. Celebrations of life will be held Saturday October 8, at 1:30 pm at The Oasis Club, Saturday October 8, at 5:00 pm at The Triangle Club and Monday October 10, at 7:00 pm at The Fern House.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to: Hospice, The Triangle Club, The Oasis Club, or The Fern House.