Frederick J. “Ted” Hamilton, 90, husband of the late Elizabeth (Kennedy) Hamilton and resident of Fairfield for more than 50 years, died peacefully March 27, with his family by his side. He was born August 1, 1924, in Bridgeport, and was the son of the late Isabelle (Darney) and Philip Hamilton.

His children and their spouses, Beth and Rick Davis of Newtown, Bob and Sue Hamilton of Orinda, Calif., Joe and Loryn Hamilton of Pittsford, Vt., Mary Ann and Jeff Hains of Bethesda, Md., Meg and Jim Barlow of Fairfield, and Patty and Mark Robinson of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; and 18 grandchildren survive Mr Hamilton. His wife and his son Tommy, as well as his brothers, John, Philip, Dick, and Bob, and his sister, Peg, predeceased him.

He attended St Augustine’s School, Bassick High School, and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. He served in the US Navy in the Pacific toward the end of World War II, and later attended Georgetown Dental School, where he received his DDS.

Mr Hamilton met his wife – a flight attendant at the time – while flying from Washington, DC, to New York. They argued about which lake they were flying over, but settled their differences and went on to marry, raising seven children who will be forever grateful for his gentle love and guidance.

He practiced dentistry in Fairfield for 42 years and was a past-president of the Bridgeport Dental Association, a member of the Connecticut State Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentists, and an honorary member of the Latin Scholars.

His greatest joy was to have his family gathered around him, evidenced by his wide Irish smile and sparkling eyes. He had a perfect spot on his shoulder carved out for even the fussiest baby, and will always be remembered by his grandchildren lovingly as “GPa.”

He was a lector and an active member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church for decades. His unfailing faith was a continuous beacon of hope and inspiration to his family, who are confident that the angels are doing a celebratory jig at his arrival in Heaven.

The family would like to thank the staff of K-3 at the Jewish Home for the Elderly for their extraordinary care.

Funeral services will take place Tuesday, March 31, at 10 am., meeting directly in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may call Monday, March 30, from 4 to 8 pm, in the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull.

Memorial donations may be made to Golden Opportunities, One Riverside Road, #102, Sandy Hook CT 06482, or at www.goldenopps.org.

To send online condolences visit www.redgatehennessy.com.