Hamilton Thaxter Tewksbury, age 89, Cohasset, died peacefully on Saturday, November 26, 2011 after saying goodbye to his loving family. Hamilton grew up in Hingham, and graduated from Hingham High School. He then served in the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, VA and Harrisburg, PA as a Naval Airplane Mechanic during World War II. Following World War II, he attended Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. While at Clarkson, he met his wife, Shirley Ann Thompson, who was studying for her elementary education degree at Potsdam State Teachers College. Ham and Shirley were married in Canton, NY, Shirley's hometown, in 1951, lived briefly in Brookline, MA, and settled in Cohasset in 1953, where they raised their four children until moving recently to assisted living facilities in Weymouth, MA. Ham worked as an industrial scale salesman for most of his career, providing services to businesses throughout the Northeastern U.S. In his spare time he served as a member of the Cohasset Recreation Commission and on the Board of Directors of the Cohasset Community Center. Ham spent many years running the Cheese Table at the annual Christmas Bazaar sponsored by the churches around the common. He also served as a member of the Cohasset Historical Society and was a founding member and avid supporter of the Cohasset Swim Center.

Following his retirement, Ham was perhaps best known to Cohasset residents as a driver of the senior citizen van, befriending many senior citizens as he transported them to medical appointments each week. He also was well known for his skills as a handy man who could repair anything around the house, and was most comfortable when working on a project such as refinishing a dresser, fixing a bicycle, or rewiring a lamp. He spent many years as an active member of the Government Island Committee. As part of his work on this committee, Ham was instrumental in bringing the original Minot's Lighthouse stonework and the creation of the Minot's Light replica to Government Island, and in securing the lens that is now part of the Minot's Light replica from the U. S. Coast Guard, so that the history of Minot's Light could be preserved for town residents.

In March 2011, Ham and Shirley gathered with family members to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Ham always had a positive attitude towards life, which he demonstrated visually through "smiley face" pins which he wore himself and gave to people he met through his various activities. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and is survived by his wife, Shirley; four children, Meredith Menton and her husband Michael of Southington, CT, Karen Dauer and her husband Gary of Franklin, MA, Ellen Volpe and her husband Jim of Germantown, MD, and H. Thaxter Tewksbury and his wife Lisa of Charlestown, RI; 10 grandchildren, Greg Menton, Nicole Menton Stevens, Daniel Dauer, Robert Dauer, Emily Dauer, Josh Volpe, Renee Volpe, Rachel Tewksbury, Alison Tewksbury, Sara Tewksbury; and 1 great grandchild, Sarah Abigail Menton.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 2-5 pm at McNamara Sparrell Funeral Home, 1 Summer Street, Cohasset. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at the First Parish Church in Cohasset, MA on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 4:00 pm followed by fellowship in Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Cohasset Historical Society or Cohasset Elder Affairs.

---