Roger James Hamilton

Roger J. Hamilton, 77, of Holland, Ohio, passed away after a short battle with cancer on Sunday, June 18th at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Born on December 30, 1939 to Ethel and Albert Hamilton in Flint, Michigan, Roger was a 1965 graduate of Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, and began working as a mechanical and structural engineer for several small companies. He joined SSOE, Inc. in 1974, and became Vice-President/Senior Project Manager there in 1990. During his time with SSOE, he was project manager for numerous projects including Chase Brass and Copper Co. Inc, Cummins Inc, Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., Union Carbide, and Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. among many other companies. His work took him to places such as Japan and Puerto Rico. He retired in 2004, but continued to consult on projects for several other companies on a part-time basis until 2011. Roger’s first love was sailing and his ability and desire to build and create began at a young age - he built his first 19-foot Lightning sailboat when he was 16. In later years, he loved sailing on Lake Erie. After retiring he built a reproduction of a vintage Chris Craft runabout. He was also a car enthusiast who restored 60s and 70s era muscle cars. Roger was a fun-loving, caring father who always put the needs of his children first. Co-workers remember him for his keen insight along with a unique way of describing situations usually in an off-color manner. Everyone enjoyed his dry sense of humor. Roger is survived by his daughters Kristen Hatzidakis of Sylvania, Ohio, and Stephanie (Russell) Brigham of Reno, Nevada, and grandchildren Melia, Sophia, and Nicklos Hatzidakis and Olivia Brigham as well as his sister Beth Brown of Norfolk, England and former wife Karen Hamilton of Maumee, Ohio. He is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Lydia Hatzidakis. Walker Funeral Home is handling Roger’s cremation service. Family will be holding a celebration of Roger’s life on July 1 between 2:00 and 6:00 pm for friends and family at the home of his daughter, Kristen – 4351 Nantuckett Drive, Toledo, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Rare Cancer Research Foundation online at www.rarecancer.org or 112 S. Duke Street Suite 101, Durham, NC 27701 or to Hospice of Northwest Ohio at http://www.hospicenwo.org/. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.