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Raymond F. Hamilton Sr., Congoleum retiree

September 22, 2013

Raymond F. Hamilton Sr., 84 of Millsboro, formerly of Wilmington, passed away peacefully after a brief illness Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013.

Ray was born Nov. 3, 1928, in Wilmington, to the late Leonard and Elva Hamilton. He married Carmella C. Vari Jan. 25, 1947. He and his family enjoyed their summer home in Oak Orchard for many years, spending every weekend and his vacations doing what he loved best, boating, fishing and crabbing on the Indian River. Ray worked for Congoleum Corporation for 46 years. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Millsboro, where he fulfilled his lifelong dream of building his own home. There he was able to spend time on the river at his leisure.

Ray was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Ann Towers; his sister, Ruth Maichle and his brother and very best friend, Leonard Hamilton.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife Carmella (Mel); his son Raymond Hamilton Jr. and his wife Christine; his daughters, Cynthia Bullen and her husband Bruce, Patricia Parsons and her husband Dennis and Deborah Towers and her husband Christopher; his eight grandchildren, Joseph Hamilton, Michelle Roberts, Amanda Bullen, Michael Bullen, Brent Parsons, Katherine Towers, David Parsons and Meredith Towers and their spouses and partners. He also leaves 10 great-grandchildren, Jessica Roberts, Rebecca Roberts, Benjamin Hamilton, Samuel Roberts, Jay Denney, Sarah Hamilton, Victoria Hamilton, Joseph Hamilton, Emma O'Hearn and Isabella Bullen; his brothers, Kenneth Hamilton and Wayne Hamilton and his sisters, Beverly White, Jane Refke and Lois Drummond.

A celebration of Raymond's life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends may call after 1 p.m. Interment will be private.

Ray's family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Delaware Hospice for the excellent care and assistance they provided during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Ray's name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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