Melford B. Hamilton peacefully passed away at home in South Dennis on Wednesday, November 3, 2022 surrounded by his family.  Originally from Arlington, MA, Mel worked summers in his father’s restaurants in West Harwich, Dennisport and Chatham, one in which he met a young waitress, Lorraine, who seven years later would become the love of his life for seventy years.  In the interval Mel served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard a carrier in the Pacific returning to Cape Cod and Lorraine after the war.
 
Mel, known by many as “Mel the Milkman” distributed Hood products to homes for more than forty years.  From Yarmouth to Provincetown his customers would hear the familiar call “Milkman” before entering the house to make a delivery.
 
Playing hockey well into his fifties, Mel spent many years coaching youth hockey and little league baseball in Dennis where he passed on not only sports skills and Corinthian values but valuable life lessons such as fairness, civility, faithfulness to the rules and friendly competition.
 
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine (Eldridge) Hamilton, his daughters Karen Donahue and her husband, Tom and Carol Haigh and her husband, Gary and his son Melford R. Hamilton.  Also surviving is a granddaughter, Dr. Melanie Donahue, the Hall family of Harwich and cousins around the world and particularly, Nova Scotia, Mel’s spiritual home.
 
Services were private.  Contributions in his memory may be made to VNA of Cape Cod Hospice and Palliative Care.
 

As a little girl, I have fond memories of "Mel the Milkman" he was such a nice man, always with a smile. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to the entire family. May they take comfort in knowing so many people will be holding them close in their hearts during this sad time.