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THE HONOURABLE ALVIN CHOWN HAMILTON Q.C. L.L.D.
Born: Aug 14, 1926
Date of Passing: Jul 25, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryTHE HONOURABLE ALVIN CHOWN HAMILTON Q.C. L.L.D. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather, who died peacefully at home on July 25, 2014. He will be forever remembered by his wife of 62 years, Lorna (nee Hasselfield), his children Irene (Tim Killeen and Charlie), Jeff (Robin and Dave Hampson, Serenity and Beckett), William, and John (Jamie Savage, Max and Alice). He is also survived by his brother-in-law Don Hasselfield and family, sister-in-law Gwen Tripp and family, nephews Al Christie and Gordon Pratt, and niece Margaret Pratt. He was predeceased by sisters Muriel (Phil) Pratt and Evelyn (Don) Christie. Al was born in Winnipeg on August 14, 1926, to Juvenile Court Judge Frank and Aleda Hamilton. He had an adventurous youth, riding his bike and exploring the wilds of the prairie at the end of the Corydon Avenue streetcar line, in what is now River Heights. He attended Grosvenor School and Kelvin High School. Al made friends easily and many of his childhood friends were lifelong. He entered the army at 18, in 1944. After the war, he attended United College and then the University of Manitoba Law School. He was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1951. While articling in Dauphin he began dating Lorna, a high-school English and math teacher. They were married in 1951 and lived in Roblin, Winnipeg and Melita before settling in Brandon. Al was very active wherever he lived, on many fronts. While in Brandon he became chair of the newly amalgamated Manitoba Association of School Trustees and helped establish that city's Indian-Métis Friendship Centre. He was active in politics and ran for the Liberals in Brandon-Souris in 1963 and was a Trudeau delegate to the 1968 leadership convention. In 1971, Al was appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench and the family moved to Winnipeg in 1972. In 1983 he was appointed the first Associate Chief Justice of the newly created Family Division of the Court of Queen's Bench. His career took a new turn in 1988 when he was asked to serve as a Commissioner on the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (AJI). In 1991 - after travelling to every corner of the province to hear people's stories and to other jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S. to study alternative models for Aboriginal justice - he and co-commissioner Justice Murray Sinclair submitted their AJI report, which is cited by justice and rights organizations to this day. He had great respect for the Aboriginal people he heard from and worked with, particularly during the AJI. That respect was reciprocated. Al retired from the Court in 1993 to work as an arbitrator and mediator. He also wrote two books: one, a more personal view of Aboriginal justice; the other, stories about the lighter side of life of a country lawyer and city judge. In 1996 he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Winnipeg. Dad loved to discuss and debate the issues of the day with family and friends. He was very outgoing, game to try anything new. He swam, sailed, waterskied, played golf and tennis and flew Cessnas. He loved to ski and taught all four kids, which usually meant he spent his day on the slopes putting skis back on after falls and warming frozen little feet in his hands. He regaled his family and friends with wonderful stories from his childhood and his years in practice. He was always able to find the humour in a situation. Our heartfelt thanks go to Elizabeth McBride, his care giver for the last two and a half years, whose presence allowed Lorna to care for Al at home to his death. We would also like to thank the W.R.H.A. home care and Palliative Care staff for the dedicated care they provided. A funeral service will be held at Charleswood United Church on Friday, August 1 at 2:00 p.m., the Reverend Robert Galston officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a caring agency, the Helen Betty Osborne Foundation or the University of Winnipeg's Duff Roblin Graduate Fellowships in Aboriginal Studies.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 30, 2014
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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Please accept my apologies for attempting to contact Jamie Savage in this way. I am looking for the friend I knew through the Manitoba Theater School many years ago in Winnipeg. If a friend or relative reads this, and knows the Jamie I know, please ask her to email me at: eveandmoti@rogers.com Once again, I apologize for this inconvenience. Eve Donner - Posted by: Eve Donner (friend) on: May 28, 2020
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Dear Lorna and family We were so sad to hear about Al's passing. We will always remember Al as a friend, a gentleman, and great neighbour in Maple Leaf. We will miss him very much. And many will be grateful for the contributions he made to Canadian society; he was a great man. - Posted by: Bill and JoAnn McGee (Friend and Neighbour) on: Aug 07, 2014
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Dear Mrs. Hamilton, Irene, Jeff, Bill and John. It is with great sadness that I heard of Mr. Hamilton's passing. Some of my best memories to this day are of growing up in Brandon and later at Clear Lake and hanging out with the Hamiltons. I will always remember Judge Hamilton as a kind and calm person. My thoughts are with you at this sad time. Boyd Craig - Posted by: Boyd Craig () on: Aug 04, 2014
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Dear Lorna, and all your and Al's family: I am so sorry to hear about Al's leaving this physical world.... He was a wonderful man, and so easy to get to know. I'll not ever forget the time Elijah and I went to visit you both in your home -- a few years ago now! Take care, and a big hug to you, Lorna...you're in my prayers. Love, Anita - Posted by: Anita Olsen Harper (friend) on: Aug 02, 2014
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Dear Mrs Hamilton, Irene, Jeff, Bill, and John, My deepest condolences to you on the passing of your husband and father. I have many happy memories of growing up at Clear Lake, and part of those include Justice Hamilton. He always had time for a friendly chat, and never seemed to mind random kids were always wanting to hang out at your place without prior announcement. Many people that spent time growing up at Clear Lake will always remember your husband and father with great fondness and respect. - Posted by: Kelly Lewis (Kirton) (family friend from Clear Lake) on: Jul 30, 2014
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Lorna, and family, the participants in Maple Leaf Creative Writing asked me to pass on their thoughts and prayers. We all have fond memories of Al and his interesting stories. - Posted by: Walt & Betty Lemon (Friend) on: Jul 30, 2014
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My condolences to the Hamilton family. I will always remember Al as Mr. Justice Hamilton, a distinguished jurist who cared deeply about people, especially those who struggled in poverty and/or felt the sharp sting of racism. He was an exemplary citizen of Canada and a gentleman to the core. He leaves this world a better place. He will be missed and long remembered. - Posted by: John Harvard (Friend) on: Jul 30, 2014
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Lorna and Faimly So sorry to hear of Als' passing fond memories of our times at Maple leaf, Wally and Mary McLeod. ST. Thomas On. - Posted by: wally and marg mcleod (friends) on: Jul 30, 2014
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Deepest sympathy to Lorna and family on the loss of your beloved husband and father. My late husband Jack and our daughters & I met Al during the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry and Jack had further connections with him through the years through a variety of organizations. Jack and I were co founders of Project Opikihiwawin -- for families who adopted or fostered Aboriginal children Jack was very involved with the Aboriginal community over many years as well. Al was a very wonderful and respected man who will be lovingly remembered by many Thoughts of sympathy Glenda Armstrong - Posted by: Glenda Armstrong () on: Jul 30, 2014
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Lorna and family. My deepest sympathy to you. I have some very fond memories of Al. I always enjoyed our discussions especially as they related to the Aboriginal people. Al was not only a storyteller, he was also ever eager to learn. I know your many wonderful memories will sustain you all in dark moments. RIP my friend. The Aboriginal world is much indebted to your very deep commitment! - Posted by: Neil McDonald (Friend) on: Jul 29, 2014
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My condolences to Lorna and family on your loss. I met justice Hamilton whilst working at the Queen's Bench in Winnipeg, Alvin was a kind and courteous man, on many occasions I had had the pleasure of meeting his lovely wife Lorna. I hadn't seen him in a number of years but when I ran into him and his wife, we always had a nice chat. He will be remembered. - Posted by: Linda Minuk (Professional) on: Jul 29, 2014