Obituary of Victor Kenneth Hamilton

Victor K. Hamilton Vic was born in Bath, New York November 23, 1947, Died October 2, 2021 in Elmira, NY, and is survived by his sons’, Victor K. Hamilton II (Sandra) of Bath, NY and Corey Hamilton of Johnson City, NY, grandsons’ Jordan Hamilton (Alicia), Zachary Hamilton and Christopher Hamilton, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Marg, sons Ernest and Brandon, his parents, Ernest and Lena Beatrice Hamilton, his siblings Richard, Alberta, Lucille, Orland, Gilbert, Elizabeth and Phillip. Vic and his wife owned and operated Vic’s Lifetime Muffler in Bath for over 44 years. Marg kept Vic grounded through the years, reminding him that the success of the business was all due to God’s blessing and that they should honor the Lord in return. When Marg passed away in 2015 Vic continued the business for almost three more years. What started out as a two bay, one hoist, one pit and several gas pumps operation in 1974, expanded into various other areas over the years: big trucks, RV’s, race cars, demolition derby cars, snowplows and even branched out into one of Vic’s hobbies – fishing. For many years Vic ran a bait and tackle business right alongside the muffler shop. Even with the many side ventures it all came down to Vic and his pipe bender. Many customers were amazed at the way he could use his pipe bender to bend steel tubing into exhaust pipes for just about any vehicle all on his own without a computer program. However, it wasn’t as easy as Vic made it look. Vic had a time in leading Scouts, assistant coaching youth grasshopper baseball, some years at various positions with the Bath Area Jaycees, and was even the sound man for the Bath Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship. Some may remember him as the neighborhood Dracula, in the late 7os and early 80s, handing out Halloween candy if the kids actually stuck around long enough to get it from him. However his favorite things to do were always fishing, hunting, and New York Yankees baseball. Vic wanted to thank Diane Galligan for her friendship and help over these last number of years, and Duane Stratton for all his help over the years. Vic would also want you to know that he went out his way, and for those of you who knew him, that should not come as a surprise. Family and friends are invited to call at Fagan’s Funeral Home in Bath on Thursday, October 7, 2021 from 1:00-3:00 pm with a funeral service to follow at 3:00 pm.