Richard (“Ricky”) W. Hamilton, 75, a resident of Cicero and a U.S. Army veteran, died on Jan. 16, 2026. Born on July 28, 1950, he loved family parties and, along with his sister, Cathy, was often the last to leave. Over the years, he found enjoyment tinkering with model trains, collecting aluminum cans for extra cash, and spending ample time on his boat with the Curran family in Michigan. Fortunately, he never followed through on his lofty, longstanding claim that he could successfully land a 747.
Ricky was the son of the late John and the late Betty Hamilton (nee Raleigh); the brother of Cathy, the late Ken (Pat), and the late David; uncle to Ken (Erin) Hamilton and Tracy (Kevin) Bailey; great-uncle to Sydney and Brooke Hamilton and Jackson, Andrew, and Addison Bailey; nephew of Pat (late Dalton Lee) Brown, Dennis Raleigh, the late Rosemary Raleigh, the late Marge (late George) Zdarsky, the late Joan (late Virgil, late Eldon Sinram) Hamer, the late George (Gloria) Raleigh, the late John (Linda) Raleigh, the late Annie (late Hugh) Curran, the late Elizabeth (late Hugh) Parker, and the late Thomas (late Eunice) Hamilton; and the cousin of many.
Interment, with military honors, will be held on Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Road, Elwood. (Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery visitor center at 12:45 p.m.)
In lieu of flowers, donations to family wishes appreciated.
Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko-Director.