Paul Hamilton Sr. passed on Tuesday April 7th, 2026, to be with his wife Patricia after a year of missing her. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by family after having spent Easter Sunday the same way.

Paul was born October 31st, 1937 to Paul G Hamilton and Ida (Burton) Hamilton in Unadilla, NY. He married the love of his life Patricia Anne Watson on September 20th, 1958, who predeceased him on December 31st, 2024.

Paul was born in, and started his schooling in Unadilla NY. He subsequently moved to Sidney where he continued his schooling until graduation from Sidney High with the Class of '55. He loved baseball in school and continued his love of the game after graduation, while playing softball for many years in the Sidney Recreation leagues, even playing with his brothers Ken and Bob as well as his sons Paul and Mike. He enjoyed many years of bowling locally, which he again was able to do with his son Paul, as well as staying active playing basketball with the firemen. In recent years you would be hard pressed to keep him from getting together to play cards with his friends on Tuesdays. He was also an avid reader.

Paul began his career at the Sidney Record-Enterprise (later known as the Tri-Town News) on a part-time basis while still in school. He then took part in a printer's apprentice program that he finished in 4 years instead of the standard 6 years, after leaving high school. Paul was a printer his entire working career, taking extra work for Keith Clark Calendar company, as well as doing job printing out of his garage on River St. He was promoted to foreman of the Tri Town News. He eventually formed a partnership with Ken Paden to buy Sidney Favorite Printing and later the Tri Town News, as well as the Hancock Herald, The Whitney Point Reporter and The Oxford Review Times, and the web press used to print these publications. He combined all of these businesses under one roof in the Sidney Industrial Park. His wife, and son Paul Jr., worked for many years with him.

Paul's second career, which began in 1957, was as a volunteer fireman in Sidney. This career brought him great satisfaction and he eventually worked his way up through the department holding all officer positions in the department including Chief (twice). He holds the highest honor ever bestowed on a Sidney Fireman, that of "Lifetime Membership" in both The MacDonald Hose Company and The Sidney Fire Department. Paul also served as Fire Marshal and Delaware County Fire Investigator. When asked recently "when did he retire from being a fireman?", he said "I haven't, I'm still a fireman."

Paul's community involvement did not stop there. He was a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 99, heading up his two sons' troop. He additionally was a male advisor for the local Explorer Post 76. He worked with his wife's Junior Girl Scout Troop, both camping and on troop outings.

Paul enjoyed outside activities, especially camping, but he loved his "hunting" trips to the Adirondacks with friends, even when hunting turned to photography.

He held a position on the Town of Sidney Planning Board, Recreation Board Chairman, and was Town of Sidney Councilman. He was also a member of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce for many years as well as the Board of Directors, and served as President for a term.

In 2015, Paul was fortunate enough to have his efforts for the community recognized by his alma mater, by being added to Sidney Alumni "Wall of Fame" for Distinguished Alumni and Educators. He was proud to have served the community well.

Above all else, our dad was; a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and recently great-great grandfather. While it may look like he didn't have time for anything else but working and serving others, he found time to take us to many places, for camping trips, even extending that into times when grandkids could go too, and taking his son and friends to the Adirondacks. He loved taking grandkids to the Fair, or Canoe regatta. He absolutely loved being a grandfather, especially holding the babies.

He is survived by his immediate family: sons Paul J. Jr (Amy), Michael D. (Anna) and daughter Kathleen M. Brown; grandchildren: Paul Hamilton III, Jeffrey (Stephanie) Brown, Amanda (Rick) Robinson, Danielle Hamilton (Jeremy), Heather Brader (Ben), Kaitlyn Hamilton-Fischer (Ashley), Natalia Legname, Caio Legname; great grandchildren: Alexis (Jayson Oefelein), Madalyn, Camy and Mason Brown; Aiden, Bryce, Chase and Hadley Robinson; Lincoln and Bennett Brader; Hazel and Jett Jackson; Ivy Jade, Charlie Jax, and Taylor James Hamilton-Fischer; Great-great grandchild: Ainsley Oefelin(Alexis and Jayson).

He is also survived by brothers Gary (Penny) Hamilton, and Robert (Janet) Hamilton, sisters Sharron Sandberg and Barbara Hardie. He is additionally survived by many nieces and nephews, and maternal cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years Patricia, parents Paul and Ida; step-parents Betty Hamilton, Mason White and Clarence Moss; brother Ken and his wife Linda, and sister Marlene White Walker and her husband George; grandchild Matthew Brown; brother-in-law Art Sandberg.

Calling hours will be at C.H. Landers Funeral Home in Sidney, Monday evening April 13th, from 5-7 pm with a Fireman's service at 7 pm.

Graveside service will be on Tuesday, April 14th at 11:00 am, at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to either the Sidney Firemen, or to the Sidney Public Library.