Father John Hamilton, 76, died on May 4.

He was born on July 27, 1944, in Rutland, the son of the late Willis Carlton and Mary Ellen (Connors) Hamilton. He attended Christ the King School and Mount St. Joseph Academy in Rutland, St. John Vianney Seminary in Barre and St. Paul Seminary in Ottawa.

Father Hamilton was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1970, at Christ the King Church in Rutland by Burlington Bishop Robert Joyce. His priestly ministry began as parochial vicar at St. Francis de Sales Church in Bennington. He also served as parochial vicar at St. Mark Church in Burlington.

His first pastorate was at St. Michael Church in Greensboro Bend. He also served as pastor of St. Edward Church in Derby Line, St. Catherine of Siena Church in Shelburne, St. John Vianney Church in South Burlington, St. Norbert Church in Hardwick, St. Michael Church in Greensboro Bend and Our Lady of Fatima Church in Craftsbury.

Father Hamilton was granted senior priest status on May 7, 2008.

His diocesan responsibilities included serving on the Diocesan Board of Consultors, Diocesan Review Board and Presbyteral Council. He served as dean of the South Burlington, Orleans and Caledonia deaneries and chaplain at St. Joseph/Kervick Home in Rutland.

Father Hamilton leaves his sisters Mary Therese Grace, Joan Agnes Haley and Barbara Jean Mazut and numerous nieces and nephews and many life-long friends.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister Patricia Ann Lester and her husband, Harlan Lester; his sister Dolores Elaine Gray and her husband, John Gray; his brothers-in-law James Grace, Joseph Mazut and Bernard Haley.

Hours of visitation will be May 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St Michael Church in Greensboro Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on May 14 at St. Michael Church at 11 a.m. with Burlington Bishop Christopher Coyne as celebrant followed by burial at St. Michael Cemetery. The des Groseilliers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences and memories may be conveyed to the family online at dgfunerals.com.