Peter Young Hamilton died peacefully on January 29, 2017 in Truro, Nova Scotia at 92 years. He was the son of the late James and Muriel (Boulden) Hamilton. Peter is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret Alice (Macdonald); and children Nancy MacLeod (Robert) of Sussex; Joan Hamilton (Fred Burge) of Halifax; Jim Hamilton (Tracy) of Dartmouth; Susan Hamilton of Cardigan, PEI; and 7 grandchildren, Peter (Danielle), Laura and Emily MacLeod; Ian (Emma Shaw) and Grace Hamilton-Burge; Hilary and Eric Hamilton. He is predeceased by his brother Don of Florida.
Peter was a lifelong learner, and had a passion for teaching and guiding others. He received his early schooling in Shediac Cape, N.B., and Moncton High School. He graduated from the diploma program at NSAC in 1944, MacDonald College with a BSc (Agr) in 1947, and University of Maine with an MSc. (Animal Industry) in 1953.
In his early career, Peter was as an Ag Rep in Hants County, and a poultry extension worker in Eastern Nova Scotia. He also did teaching and livestock extension work for the N.S. Department of Agriculture & Marketing.
In 1961 Peter joined the CBC Farm Department where he hosted the weekly Sunday CBC television program "Country Calendar”. In 1964 he went to MacDonald College as an Associate Professor of Animal Science. He returned to NSAC in 1974 as Registrar. P.Y. took a great interest in his students. He was always pleased to hear from or about them as they moved on through their lives and careers. He retired from NSAC in 1986 and was awarded Professor Emeritus.
In 1987 Peter and Marg moved to Jamaica where Peter was engaged for a year by the NSAC and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges to assist with the development of agriculture extension services in Jamaica.
Peter was awarded Distinguished Life Member of the NS Institute of Agrologists in 1985 and was made Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada in 1996.
Peter had a deep faith, and his church families of St. George’s Anglican Church in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, and St. John’s Anglican Church, Truro, were very important to him.
An avid fisherman, Peter enjoyed his involvement with the Cobequid Salmon Association for many years. He had a curious mind and a variety of interests spanning his 92 years, including sable island ponies, short wave radio, bird watching, music, gardening, and airplanes. He had a sincere interest in people, always ready to give them his full attention as he listened to their views and stories.
But most important in Peter’s life were his wife Margaret, his family, and the cottage at Caribou Island, where family gatherings were common. Peter enjoyed a good laugh, and was a loving, kind, and gentle man. Peter will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, and the many others whose lives he has touched.
Following cremation, visitation will be held on Friday, February 3 from 4-6pm in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. A Memorial Service in Thanksgiving for Peter’s life will be held on Saturday, February 4 at 11am in St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 23 Church St., Truro, The Rev. Lori Ramsey officiating. Reception will follow in Kaulback Hall. Interment will be held at a later date in Waterside Cemetery, Caribou. Donations may be made to the Cobequid Salmon Association (Box 25074, Truro, N.S. B2N-6C7), the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia (112-2719 Gladstone St., Halifax, N.S. B3K 4W6) or charity of choice. Online messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.ColchesterCommunity.com