Richard Hamilton

Richard Joseph Hamilton, 65, died of cancer at his home on September 3, 2013.

He was born on January 25, 1948 in Marlborough, MA, the second son of Austin and Rita Hamilton. He attended Conard High School in West Hartford, CT, where he was the captain of the varsity cross country team.  After graduating Conard in 1966, Richard attended Boston College, where he graduated in 1970 with a degree in English.

After college, he became a homesteader and a communal farmer in Clinton, ME. In 1973, Richard relocated to New York City, where he first met Fredda Fiedler, whom he married on January 19th, 1974. After a short stay in New York City, the couple moved back to the farm in Clinton, ME, for the next several years, during which time Richard worked as a part time reporter for the Kennebec Journal and Waterville Sentinel newspapers.

In 1978, Richard relocated to Portland, ME, and began working as a reporter for the York County Coast Star. In 1979, Richard completed his conversion to Judaism. In 1981 he was awarded first place for investigative reporting by the New England Newspaper Publishers Association and a third place national award in the same category (National Newspaper Publishers Association). He also won several awards for news and feature writing from the Maine Press Association.

In 1982, Richard began work as a private investigator. The following year, he started his own private investigation firm, Investigate Research Incorporated. In 1984, he and his family relocated to the Boston area. He continued to work in this field until his death, specializing in defense work. Richard was the lead investigator in a number of high profile cases during the course of his career. In 1995, he co-authored a chapter on criminal defense investigation for a lawyers manual entitled “Criminal Practice Handbook.” He also served as the lead investigator for the New England Innocence Project.

Besides his wife of 39 years, he leaves four children, Aurora Corsano, Gabriel Hamilton, Meir Hamilton, and Natan Hamilton; three siblings, Robert Hamilton, John Hamilton, and Gurubani Khalsa; three beloved grandchildren, Alice Hamilton, Beatrix Hamilton, and Enzo Tummino Hamilton; several nieces and nephews, and many loving friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Mazon, and American Jewish World Service.