Matthew Hamilton

OXFORD -- Matthew Hamilton, 88, of 2 Plantation Road, Oxford, (formerly of Northbridge), passed away on July 29 with his children by his side. He is predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Agnes "Nan" Hamilton, in 1997 as well as a daughter, Elva M. Hamilton, who died tragically in Scotland in 1956. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth R. Doldoorian and her husband Robert of Brimfield and his son John M. Hamilton also Oxford. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Kirsten and Joseph Doldoorian of Brimfield. He leaves a brother, David Hamilton, and sister, Min Brown, of Scotland as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by five siblings. Matthew was born in Shotts, Scotland the son of John Hamilton and Janet Gunnis (Brodie) Hamilton. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1965 with his wife and two children. He worked for Morgan Construction Co. in Worcester from 1965 until retirement in 1985. He worked as a coal miner in Scotland for many years beginning at age 14. He also played professional soccer in the Scottish Premier Division for Kilmarnock in the early 1950's. Matthew was a tenor drummer with the world champion Scottish pipe band, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band. He was a long-time member of the Worcester Kiltie Band, Tulach Ard Pipe Band, and drumming instructor for both the Worcester Fire Brigade and the Boston Police Gaelic Column. He was also an EUSPBA drumming judge at many highland games. He was especially proud of having the Deputy Sheriff honor bestowed on him at an event hosted by the Boston Police Gaelic Column. He was a life member of Masonic Lodge 471 of Shotts, Scotland, Hirams and the Kilwinning Club of Massachusetts. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed his weekly Worcester Kiltie Band golf league at Green Hill. He was especially proud of having designed the 18th hole on his hometown golf course in Shotts, Scotland. He greatly enjoyed his travels with all his pipe bands that took him to Russia, Scotland, Ireland, Bermuda, Canada and throughout the eastern U.S. In his later years, he enjoyed visiting his son John in Florida and watching his granddaughter Kirsten's basketball games. Matthew will be especially missed by his family. There will be a calling hour from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oxford, with a memorial service to celebrate his life to begin at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boston Police Gaelic Column (www.bostonpolicegaeliccolumn.com). Following cremation, his remains will be returned to the family burial site at the Stane Cemetery in Shotts, Scotland.