SOUTH PORTLAND – Hamilton Grant, former assistant superintendent at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham who had a passion for the outdoors, died Monday. He was 78.

Mr. Grant joined the Maine Department of Corrections in July 1958 as a probation officer. In 1970, he was promoted to assistant superintendent. He held that post for 18 years and was in charge of developing educational and vocational programs for prisoners. Mr. Grant retired in 1988.

“He cared greatly for the welfare of his prisoners and was certainly an advocate for rehabilitation,” said Scott Burnheimer, superintendent of the correctional center. “He was well-liked by all his co-workers and was always a positive influence on everyone around him. He worked hard to help the prisoners rehabilitate so when they left here, there wasn’t a chance they were coming back.”

He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Grant, and their three children. The couple lived in Windham for many years.

Mr. Grant was remembered by his family Thursday as a calm, humble and hard-working guy who was respected by many.

His daughter Kristin Grant said he was a great father who had a strong devotion to family. She said he was always there to support them.

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“He loved us unconditionally,” she said. “He never dropped the ball in any aspect of our lives. My sisters and I have always been really cared for by my parents.”

Kristin Grant said her father had a great appreciation for the outdoors. He enjoyed swimming, sailing and fishing on Sebago Lake, and skiing at Pleasant Mountain. He instilled a love of the outdoors in each of his children, she said.

“He taught us to ski and swim. He enjoyed the outdoors,” she said.

It’s how he met his wife — skiing at Sunday River.

“He was a fabulous skier. He loved it. He loved every minute of it,” Nancy Grant said.

On Thursday, she talked about their nearly 54 years of marriage and his devotion to family and friends.

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She said he was a quiet guy, yet he had a lot of friends. They enjoyed traveling and taking cruises, but he also loved being home to work on his gardens and mow the lawn. She said they had a great life together.

“We knew people from all over. We had a lot of good times,” she said.

In recent years, the Grants spent winters at their home in Ormond Beach, Fla., where they enjoyed taking walks on the beach.

 

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.com

 


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