Obituary of Philip Van Rensselaer Hamilton

Philip Van Rensselaer Hamilton, born in Glasgow, Scotland, found eternal peace on September 30, 2024. A proud direct descendant of two signers of the Declaration of Independence, Philip embraced his rich heritage while living a life full of love and service.

His absence will be deeply felt by his loving wife, Mary, their 15-year-old twins, Emma and Gavin, and his stepson, Luke Pontorno. The family made their home in Darien, Connecticut where Phil’s warmth, humor, and kindness left a lasting impact on many friends and neighbors.

Phil is survived by his brother Alan and sister-in-law Melissa, his Godson/nephew Kiliaen, and his sister Barbara, as well as his cherished nieces, Carissa Pellicci Romano and Briana Pellicci. He was predeceased by his mother, Dorothea, father Charles Glen, and sister Amy.

Those fortunate enough to know Phil will remember his remarkable sense of humor, which transcended the typical ‘Dad jokes’ his children rolled their eyes at. Colleagues became like family to him, and the bonds he formed are evident in the profound sorrow they now feel. They will miss his laughter and the playful pranks that helped them navigate the challenges of their demanding field.

A passionate sports enthusiast, Phil thrived on the tennis court, earning state-level rankings, and found serenity boating on Long Island Sound with his family and friends. He dedicated countless hours to coaching his daughter Emma’s basketball and softball teams, celebrating the championships with immense pride, as well as traveling to her sports tournaments and skiing in the winter with her. He enjoyed teaching his son Gavin to play tennis, paddle sports, and basketball, and didn’t miss any of his musical performances. Above all, he loved his children to the ends of the earth.

His early education at Larchfield Preparatory School and Rannoch School in the Scottish Highlands honed his talents in rugby and other sports. After relocating to the United States, Phil attended Fordham University, earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work. He dedicated nearly 25 years to serving children and families across Connecticut, making a positive impact through his work at the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters in Stamford and Bridgeport, and at Family Reentry, where he facilitated domestic violence counseling. He also held an academic appointment at Fordham University as an Adjunct Professor for the Graduate School of Social Service.

Phil’s unwavering sense of justice led him to engage with numerous grassroots initiatives. He served on the boards of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, the CAGV Political Action Committee, Survivors of Homicide, and the Victim Advisory Advocate Board, among others. He was also a member of the Juvenile Court Improvement Planning Committee and founded the Psychology Law Forum in Stamford Juvenile Court.

A memorial service will be held on November 10, 2024, at 2pm at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, Connecticut to honor Philip’s life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions to the children’s college fund at:  Emma & Gavin Hamilton College Fund