Jim Hamilton, class '50
1932 - 1998
It was with great sadness that we learned of Jim's death earlier this year. He was a staunch supporter of the College and the Pastmen's Union, serving as President of the latter in 1988/89. He was also deeply involved in the Boys' Club in Arran Quay during the fifties, and a driving force in the old Castleknock Basketball Club at that time. His great joy was the Club's winning of the Dublin 'An Tostal' basketball competition.
From his early days in the College, Jim displayed a mischievous and endearing sense of humour. The mention of his name among pastmen and his many friends regularly gave rise to a knowing smile of affection. And he will be remembered with respect, not only for the enthusiasm and commitment which he brought to his business, but as much for his concern for all with whom he came into contact. It was typical of him that, during his term as President of the Union, the Pastmen's Benevolent Fund was inaugurated.
Talk of Jim without mention of Woodbrook Golf Club would be unthinkable - Captain in 1982, President in 1997 and uniquely again for a second term in 1998. He will be missed by his many friends in the Club and particularly by those of us who had to pay up to a better man on the eighteenth green!
Jim never missed a Castleknock College golfing event and assisted in organising both the Milltown and Elm Park outings for many years. He was very chuffed to be a member of the Castleknock College P.PU team which won the Union of Irish Schools Golf Shield in the College's Union centenary year (1996) and setting a record of winning it on seven occasions. As an aside, Jim would remind one that he was on three of those winning teams and was captain in 1987!
Jim was a good friend, interested in everyone's achievements, always lending support in times of need. He was, above all, a man of courage, an attribute demonstrated time and time again, but never more so than during the illness he endured over the last year of his life.
To those of us who knew him for a long time Jim will always be remembered as a loving family man. To his wife Mary and his sons Jim, David, John, Peter and Robert we extend our deepest sympathy.
Requiescat in Pace.
Union President 1988/89
Jim Hamilton
In May JIM HAMILTON (1945-50) was elected by the members of the Union Committee as President of the Castleknock College Union for the forthcoming year. His election came as a surprise to Jim but to no one else. To those of us in the college and to his contemporaries among the pastmen it was a long deserved honour.
After leaving school Jim worked for a time with Roches Stores before succeeding his father as Irish agent for Vyse of London. Later on he spent two years in London as director general in Britain for an American company. After this he returned to Ireland where he and John Coleman set up Hamcol Ltd. Mr Hamilton now operates the company on his own. ever since pressure of other business forced Mr. Coleman to bow out.
While at the college Jim's main sporting interest was in basketball. It was an interest he kept up after he left and for a time he helped organise a pastmen's basketball club, yet this was only the beginning. For twelve years Jim served as chairman of the Dublin Basketball Board and also became a Vice-President of the Basketball Association. Jim's other recreational interest has been in golf. He is a member of Milltown and of Woodbrook where he was captain in 1982.
Jim Hamilton has always been an active past pupil of the college. He had a long association with the Union's Boys' Club in Benburb St., during perhaps its most successful period when it expanded and moved into new premises. Jim was deeply involved in the administration of the club during this period and recalls that it was a very happy time. Pastmen working in the club were expected to turn up once a week but many came more often so much did they enjoy it.
In 1961 Jim married Mary Brady and they are blessed with five wonderful sons. Three of them have been with us in recent years: Jim (1974-80), David (1975-81) and John (1978-82). We are confident that Jim will have a happy and successful year as president of the Union and we wish him every success.