R. Sherwood Hamilton, Jr.

R. Sherwood Hamilton, Jr., 87, a longtime proprietor of the Middlesex Country Store, passed away at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, VT on May 14, 2012.

Born in Caldwell, NJ on Nov. 17, 1924, he was the son of the late Raymond Sherwood Hamilton, Sr. and Margaret (Conover) Hamilton. On August 31, 1952, he married the former Nancy Jones in Manasquan NJ. Nancy predeceased Sherwood on July 1, 1982. 

Hamilton was a 1942 graduate of Grover Cleveland High School in Caldwell. He joined the U.S. Army where he served with the 10th Mountain Division.

Following his discharge, Hamilton began work with H.A. Astlett and Co., Inc., a rubber import/export business. Wanting to continue his education, he attended night school at Pace University in New York City over a span of nine years while working full time and raising his family. He earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration and went on to a 35-year career with H.A. Astlett and Co., Inc., retiring as comptroller in 1981.

Looking for a change of venue and career, Hamilton read an advertisement in The New York Times for a country store for sale in Middlesex, VT. He and Nancy purchased the Middlesex Country Store on Oct. 1, 1981 and was the proprietor since.

Hamilton attended the Bethany Church in Montpelier where he enjoyed singing in the choir and was a member of the hand bell choir. More recently he has been a regular member of the Middlesex United Methodist Church. For many years he has been a supporter of both Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. In his leisure time he enjoyed woodworking, bird watching and was an avid golfer. His family fondly remembers him for his love and dedication to his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as the joy he experienced socializing with the many patrons of his store.

Hamilton is survived by his children, Ann LeFevre and her husband, Jeffrey, of East Stroudsburg, PA, Diana Fusco and her husband, Bob, of East Montpelier and Sara Cingale and her husband, Stephen, of North Haledon, NJ; his five grandchildren, Sara Howard of Middlesex, Abby Fusco of East Montpelier, Anna Cingale of North Haledon, NJ, Erick LeFevre of Batavia, NY, and Christopher LeFevre of Tecumseh, MI; five great-grandchildren, Connor Howard, Leigh LeFevre, Samuel Sherwood LeFevre, Lucy LeFevre and Isaac LeFevre; three sisters, Peg Watkins of West Caldwell, NJ, Betty DeRenzis of Raleigh, NC, and Jane Ridley and her husband, Art, of Milford, PA; a brother, John Hamilton and his wife, Joan, of West Caldwell, NJ; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family.

Memorial services will be held from the Middlesex United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at noon with a reception to follow in the church dining room. Friends may call at the church on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Inurnment with military honors will take place in the Middlesex Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Middlesex United Church, PO Box 561, Moretown VT 05660. To send online condolences, visit www.perkinsparker.com.