David Hamilton ran popular Bullring shop
THERE was great sadness in recent week as Wexford learned of the passing of popular businessman David Hamilton. Familiar to many as the face of W. R. Hamilton & Sons shop in the Bullring, he passed away surrounded by his children in Wexford General Hospital on January 9.
A Wexford man through and through, David was born in Wexford on February 22, 1944, and he would live there all his life. He was the youngest son of Alfred and Elsie Hamilton and brother to Joan and Eleanor.
David started out his education at St Patrick’s Square before commencing secondary education in Wesley College, where he was described as a strong and steady rugby player. David returned home at a young age when his Father became ill, to support him to support in the running of the family business.
He spent most of his life behind the shop counter in the Bullring, which was established by his grandfather in 1909, and David eventually handed over the reigns to his own son Nigel around ten years ago.
In August 1972 he married Sheila Roche of Cleariestown, daughter of Joseph Roche the great cattle dealer;
sadly Sheila passed away suddenly on the March 18 of last year. They lived in Rowestown, Drinagh, for a few years before moving to Fahyscross and rearing their family of one boy, Nigel, and six girls Odette, Jenny, Marieva, Susan, Amy and Carol. David later moved to his daughter Susan’s home in Clover Valley, Taghmon, where he spent the last 12 years of his life.
Described by those who knew him as a real gentleman, David had strong
family values and always encouraged them to build strong relationships with each other, drilling home the message that ‘other people may have lots of stuff but you will always have each other’. He never seemed to have any great love for money or ‘dirty bits of paper’ as he called it, and as long as he could provide for himself and his family, he was happy. He taught his children and grandchildren that the most important things in life are free like a walk on the beach, visiting friends or just sitting in the sunshine.
A doting grandfather, he had a special bond with his grandchildren and spent much of his time reading them Bible stories and singing songs and hymns with them.
He was a great GAA fan and his family have many fond memories of making the journey up to Croke Park for the big games. He also enjoyed gardening and wildlife and planted many trees in his children’s gardens.
During his retirement, David continued to keep his hand in and support Nigel in the running of the shop. He was a great buyer and Nigel a great seller, making them a great team. Even at the age of 74 he was still the
main buyer for the shop he would go to auctions and sales up and down the country buying vintage antique and collectable items and had a great way of driving a hard bargain. He would ring Nigel every evening at 6 p.m. to see what he had sold and to ask who had been in the shop.
He inherited his forefathers’ passion for business which he then passed on to his own son and son’s in-law who have said they owe a great deal of their business success to David who was the always on hand to offer support and advice in the running of their own businesses.
David was a man of constant motion, but he was never to busy to share his love with those around him and would go out of his way to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked. Honest, kind and funny, he had a great interest in people and was forever going somewhere with someone to help them sort out some problem or another.
A wonderful father, grandfather and friend, his children say they owe him a great debt in shaping them into the people they are today.
David battled with COPD for a
number of years and, although oxygen dependant, he still fought to get out and about and never stopped helping people. One of the proudest moments of David and his family’s life occurred on September 22 of last year when, despite ill health, he proudly walked his youngest daughter Carol down the aisle on her wedding day.
David got sick on Christmas day and went in to hospital where he continued to fight but sadly lost his last battle on January 9.
Hundreds of people gathered to David’s daughters Susan’s house and to a celebration of David’s life which took place in St Munn’s Church, Taghmon, after which David was laid to rest under a large sycamore tree in adjoining cemetery.
David’s family were extremely grateful to all the support shown to them at a difficult time.
David is sadly missed by his children Nigel, Odette, Jenny, Marieva, Susan, Amy and Carol and Sonya Son’s in law Anthony, Peader, Tony, Kevin and Steven, sisters Joan Rothwell and Eleanor Tector, grandchildren and many friends.
Till we meet again.