IN MEMORIAM
Corporation (HEDCO) and the Greater Hartford Business Development Center, Incorporated. HEDCO, provides technical assistance, loan packaging, debt, and/or equity funding for businesses in Con- necticut. At the time of his retirement, Sam had grown the company’s assets from $250K to $34.5 million and increased the company’s staffing by 50 percent. Prior to that role, Sam served as Regional Direc- tor with the Aetna Life and Casualty Company; was a Principal/Partner for nine years with a real estate investment firm and Owner/Operator of a Tennis/Health Facility and Lounge. He has completed additional educational studies at the University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts and held a Real Estate Broker License. Known throughout the State of Connecticut as a community titan, Sam’s list of service, awards, and recognition are endless, yet he always remained a humble servant. He has served as an Advisory
Chairman, United Way of the Capital Area Board of Directors; Chairman Hartford Neighborhood, Support Collaborative; Member, Hartford Vision Planning Group; Christian Conference of Connecticut and Director, South End Community Services. Samuel Charles Hamilton, Sr., is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Sandra Gordon, brother Robert Sherrod (Jackie), sisters Linda McCray and Gail Sankey, grandson Noah Todd Hamilton, brother In-Law Lee, David Gordon (Teko), Godson Jimmy McMikle (Marclion), God chosen sister Andra Richardson, Godson Trent Walters, Jr. (Sandra), Katie Gordon, a host of biological and God chosen nieces and nephews, additional family members, close friends and his beloved brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi, Incor- porated. He is predeceased by his sons Samuel Charles Hamilton Jr. and Gordon Scott Hamilton (Chi 1993), his mother Johnny Bell Sherrod and father Samuel Hamilton. ♦
In the sixth edition of the Story of Kappa Alpha Psi , Grand Polemarch Hamilton reflected on a seminal moment that shaped his perspective on the Fraternity. “A signature charge given
by Brother Marvin Arrington (Gamma Kappa 1960) at my initial Informational Meeting for Men interested in Kappa was when he said, ‘It’s not what Kappa Alpha Psi can do for you; it is what you can do for Kappa Alpha Psi!’
Since that moment it has been my goal to leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that I personified that commitment. My brothers in the Bond honored me with the opportunities to serve Kappa in so many ways allowing me to consistently endeavor to sustain her high plane of excellence, pursuing and creating achievements valuable to all.”
Board member of the Local Initiative Service Corpora- tion (LISC); Neighborhood Housing Support Collab- orative; Trustee, Hartford Seminary; Elder, First Pres- byterian Church; Member, Task Force for the Develop- ment of the Black Athlete Institute for International Sport, Sigma Pi Phi Frater- nity. Brother Hamilton is a 33º Prince Hall Mason and an Honorary Past Potentate in the Mystic Order of the Shrine of North and South America and Its Jurisdic- tions, Inc.
Sam is a recipient of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Humanitarian Award from The Boys Scouts of Amer- ica. He has also served in many other civic/volunteer capacities including but not limited to: Director, Village for Children and Families, Inc.; Founder, Transitional Living Center for Teens; Mayor’s Task Force for Economic Development; Member, Economic Development Commission of Manches- ter, Chairman, Allocations and Agency Relations;
For those of us who had the pleasure of getting to know Samuel C. Hamilton, every interaction was informed by his even-keeled demeanor. I first met him after he became the 30th Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraterinity, Inc. He was walking into Brother Dr. William L. Cody’s living room during the pre-reception for the Jacksonville (FL) Alumni Chapter’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament. I recall saying, “Wow! It’s Brother Grand Polemarch!” to which he replied with his oft refrain, “I’m just another brother.” – Editor’s Note
90 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
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