Harry Hamilton was a man dedicated to a way of life that ranked the welfare of others above his own. A man who was happiest when helping make someone else happy. A man to whom words like fair, honorable and trustworthy were rules, not just words. The Triangle Club in West Palm Beach provided Harry with a home in which he showed others by example his dearest values. To honor his life, a group of friends created the Harry Hamilton Foundation to memorialize his life by providing financial support to the Triangle Club – an institution near and dear to his heart.

Our friend Harry was born April 11, 1926. A boy in St. Petersburg during the Depression who had been abandoned by his father, Harry learned early to fend for himself. In his mid-teens he hitchhiked and rode the rails all the way to Chicago seeking odd jobs. Born Harry Jones, he preferred Hamilton and changed his name. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Upon discharge, he returned to St. Petersburg and jumped into the booming post-war used car business. Ultimately he migrated to West Palm Beach and became the used car manager for Roger Dean Chevrolet.

Always though, Harry showed an interest in commercial real estate. In the late 1960’s, real estate development became his primary occupation. Over the next half century, Harry with varied partners developed, owned and operated over 3 million square feet of commercial space. Harry developed properties in Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale, but the great majority of his projects were in West Palm Beach and surrounding areas. The range of his projects went from free-standing banks, medical facilities and fast food operations, to large shopping centers such as Pine Trail Shopping Center and office complexes such as the Concourse and Northbridge AKA “The Darth Vader Building.” Harry also engaged in operating businesses including used car lots, mobile home parks, property management and marinas. Of all his investments he was most pleased to be an owner of the Palm Beach Yacht Club.

Harry loved boating, fishing and diving in the Bahamas. In the winter holidays, Paris and San Moritz called him. He passed away on September 20, 2016. He was survived by the treasured memories of many. Lee, his wife and partner since 1973, passed away in summer 2017.

Harry was a positive role model and proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous, sober since January 26, 1977. His life exemplified the traits most valued in AA including living a life of service to others. He sponsored many people, was famous for taking meetings into rehab centers, and for personally doing 12th Step work with alcoholics. Harry was generous to many in need, and to organizations working to support 12 Step recovery programs. At the time of his death, Harry was in his 40th year of sobriety.