Francis "Frank" Anthony Hamill

Francis "Frank" Anthony Hamill passed away peacefully on October 6, 2024, at the age of 94, in Arbuckle, CA. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by his wife of 70 years, Joan, his brother Patrick, his sons Tony (Carolyn), Matt (Mary), and John (Ann), son-in-law Christopher, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Frank was preceded in death by his sisters Nancy, Mary and Jackie, and his beloved daughter, Anne.

Born on July 12, 1930, in Potrerillos Chile, Frank began to distinguish himself early in life. He showcased his athletic talents as a sprinter in the 400 and 800-meter events at the Pan American Games during his high school years. After graduating from the University of Utah, he began a remarkable career in mining engineering, spanning over four decades. His work took him from gold mining in Nicaragua to phosphate mining in Idaho. Notably, he helped engineer and build California's first long-distance slurry pipeline for the cement industry and was issued the only unlimited blasting license in the state at the time.

Frank had an adventurous spirit. He was an accomplished aviator with nearly 5,000 hours of flight time, and a passionate writer who self-published his works. He also loved the outdoors. He enjoyed skiing into his eighth decade, and his farm life kept him active and healthy long after retirement.

A devout member of the Catholic Church, Frank's faith was an integral part of his life. To celebrate that life of faith, a memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Colusa on October 26th at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, honoring Frank's commitment to education and faith.