Giles B. Hamlin, MD

Olean- Dr. Giles B. Hamlin, Sr 

Dr. Giles B. Hamlin, Sr. (1930-2024), known to his family as Daddio or Gramps, had a zest for life that included a deep love of his wife Marie, family and labrador Stan. His passion for the natural world, scientific curiosity, prowess as a general surgeon, his philanthropy and generosity, deep Catholic faith, and dedication to being active in mind and body defined him.

Giles was born on January 4, 1930, in Washington, D.C. to Pauline (Cooke) Hamlin and Charles Hoffman Hamlin. He grew up in Utica, NY, graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1947, Dartmouth College in 1951, Dartmouth Medical School in 1952, and Harvard Medical School in 1954. After concluding his training at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, Lieutenant Hamlin was the medical officer on the US Naval ship USS Atka, an icebreaker that was integral to Operation Deep Freeze, which set up the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. While there, his insatiable adventurous spirit manifested itself in examining penguins with his stethoscope and helicopter skiing on Mount Erebus.

Upon his return, Giles married Marie Therese Wasik, on October 4, 1958, in West Rutland, Vermont. After a short time in Boston, they moved to Olean and built a loving family and became a part of the Olean community. His dedication to public health in Olean spanned over 6 decades. He was a general surgical partner at the Olean Medical Group from 1961 until his retirement in 1998. He continued to stay engaged by serving on the Cattaraugus County Board of Health in various roles until his death.

Giles passed away on July 13, 2024, surrounded by his loving family in the Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, VT after a brief illness. Giles’ tenacious will to live was ever-present until his last day.

Giles was predeceased by his wife Marie in 2014. He is survived by his daughters Ann (Richard) Hampshire of Friendship, NY, Janie (Peter Schmidt) Hamlin of Breckenridge, CO, and Elizabeth (Patrick Volz) Hamlin-Volz of Colchester, VT; a son Giles B. (Judith) Hamlin, Jr. of Mendon, VT; grandchildren Hannah (Joshua) Stuck, Molly (Tim Litz) Dougherty, Andrew Dougherty, Abby (Joe) Bartz, Giles B. “Charlie” Hamlin, III, Aubrey James “Jamie” Hamlin, Sarah Hamlin, David (Cynthia) Hampshire, Keane Hampshire, Steffan (Courtney) Hampshire, and 12 great-grandchildren. 

Friends will be received Friday, July 19, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 East State Street, Olean. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024, in St. John’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany with full military honors accorded by the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post 892 ritual team.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be directed to your favorite veteran, animal or environmental charitable organization in his name.