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Ton Henry Hamilton, 82, of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, passed away peacefully December 28, 2011 in Salmon Arm. Ton Leaves behind his wife Mary Hamilton  & 5 children Harry, Nancy, Ian, Cindy & Steven. Ton is also survived by ten grandchildren.

Born in Tanjung Pandan on the Island of Biliton, Indonesia  Jan 5, 1929 Ton was the youngest of eight children. Educated in  the Netherlands where he studied Tropical Agriculture.

Over his life Ton has worked as a Logger in Norway, Timber surveyor for MacMillan Bloedel on Vancouver Island and Silviculturist for the Ministry of Forests in Duncan. In addition Ton worked as the Superintendent  for  Skimikin Nursery for 11 years. Ton’s crowning achievement was the creation and establishment of his own silviculture greenhouse operation, Sorrento Nurseries Ltd, established with his son Harry & Frank & Dave in 1988, which is still operating today.

His belief in the Mormon faith was an important part of his life and strongly impacted on his spirituality in his later years.

Ton was active in Track & Field as an Athlete, Coach and Official. He went to the 1948 Olympics in London, where he ran on the Dutch 440 yard relay team. Ton was the Head Coach and founder of Cowichan Valley Athletic club “ CeeVacs”  in Duncan, this club is still active today. Ton was also an official for many Canadian national track & field events.

He participated in speed skating, completing an 11 city tour in the Netherlands skating on frozen canals. Other Interests include: hiking, hunting, fishing, training his Labrador retrievers, scuba diving, skiing & painting. Ton also participated as a paddler in First Nations Traditional War canoe races on Vancouver Island in the 1960’s.

Ton enjoyed traveling and made many trips. Countries visited included:  Scotland, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Spain, Portugal, North Africa, Mexico, Hawaii, Brazil Yukon, Newfoundland, Quebec, Haida Gwaii

Ton was the Patriarch of the family. Spending time with his children, grand children and extended family was a priority. He is loved and will be remembered by all.



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