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GAIL HAMILTON |
Former Bellefontaine Mayor Gail Hamilton was not a boisterous politician.
His way was to speak with calm, deliberate confidence and his tools were an infectious smile, a firm handshake and wry sense of humor.
“Soon after I took over as mayor,” said current Mayor Ben Stahler, “I realized how unique it was to have seven men who had served in the position still living in the area.
“I decided to get us together and at that gathering (in November 2014), I asked each one what their greatest accomplishment was while mayor.
“Gail looked around, smiled and said, ‘Beating Dick Vicario.’
“Gail,” Mr. Stahler said, “had a great sense of humor.”
Friday, the one-term mayor and three-term city councilman died. He was 90.
Bill Patterson, city council president during Mr. Hamilton’s term as mayor, said he respected the his willingness to work through political differences to produce results.
“He was always very community minded,” Mr. Patterson. “He was soft-spoken and was just a nice man. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but he was fair and was willing to work things out in the best interests of our community. He was a good mayor.”
Mr. Hamilton graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1944 and was drafted into the Army Air Force in 1945. He was working at what became Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at the time. After being honorably discharged from the service, he returned to Bellefontaine.
He married Gloria Vee Johnsen on Dec. 22, 1952, and she survives.
Mr. Hamilton was active in the community and a strong supporter of the arts, especially the concerts at Brown Park and the Holland Theatre.
In addition to his role in city government, Mr. Hamilton was a member of the Mary Rutan Hospital Board, Kiwanis International and served on the Logan county Board of Elections.
His council terms covered 1986 to 1991 and he was mayor from 1996 to 1999.
Mr. Stahler served one term on city council with Mr. Hamilton.
“I was just 30 when I started my first term and I certainly looked up to him,” Mr. Stahler said. “He was a true gentleman.”
Per Mr. Hamilton’s request, there are no plans for public funeral services.
Obituary: GAIL ELLINGTON HAMILTON