Obituary of Pip Hamilton

It is with great sadness that the family of Howard (Pip) Hamilton announce his passing at the Foothills Hospital on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at the age of 84 years. Pip is survived by his loving wife Barbara; sons Doug and Mike; daughters Pat (Fred) Wildeman and June Smith; five grandchildren, Scott, Geoff, Nicole, Chris and Colleen; one great grandchild Tia; one sister Holly Martin of Vancouver. Pip is predeceased by his mother Mary Alice Hamilton and his two brothers George and Art. Pip was born and raised in Red Deer, Alberta. Before the war he and his two brothers joined Sonny Fry and His Gentlemen of Music, playing at the old Varsity Hall during the summers at Sylvan Lake and at Penley’s dance hall in Calgary in the winters. He joined the Navy in 1942 as a signalman on an escort ship crossing the Atlantic. After the war he moved to Calgary where he rejoined Sonny Fry. When playing at the Rendezvous dance hall in the winter, he met his future wife Barbara. They were married in April 1946. He, along with Jack Ryan, started Hamilton-Ryan Music Company and afterwards started selling real estate. He joined Ivan C. Robison as an Real Estate Appraiser (AACI) in 1959 and after 4 years, Pip started Howard P. Hamilton Appraisal Company. In his 20 years as an appraiser he was President of the Appraisal Institute in the early 1960’s, and co-wrote the original Real Estate Appraisal in Canada textbook. Pip retired in 1979, where he and Barbara spent their summers at their cottage (Pipsburgh) at Sylvan Lake and wintered in Hawaii and Calgary. Until recently, he continued to play saxophone in the Polka Dots, playing at such hot spots as nursing homes and the Torrington Jamboree. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Monday, July 18, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Pip Hamilton, a tree will be planted by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.