Eric Hamilton, late businessman of Ocho Rios, hails from Furgust, St. Ann, and Benbow, St. Catherine.
His entrepreneurial skills began to show at a tender age of fifteen years, when he started his own business selling fruits and vegetables at the old Ocho Rios Market, which was then located at what is now the Old Ocho Rios Craft Market , beside Seow’s Supercentre. He supplied his products to various hotels, supermarkets, restaurants and guest houses through the North Coast region.
Eric was determined to excel and the small business then began to grow. When the market was relocated to its present location, he expanded his business with a new grocery shop in the market. He then acquired the old Baptist Church at 20 Main Street, down town, Ocho Rios beside the original Kentucky Fried Chicken.
It was later renovated and he renamed it “The Corner Stone Plaza” which houses a supermarket, ‘Park N Shop’, a shoe store, ‘Authentic sportswear ‘; Internet Café “Virtual Revelation’ and a school, Institute of Advance Technology, among other businesses.
Eric Hamilton gave his life to Jesus and was baptized at 1 Buckfield Road, Ocho Rios
He was very active in Church where he served in the Men’s Department and on the finance committee. He loved the Lord. He retired from public businesses and was taking it easy at home
In 2012 he suffered a mild stroke and recovered. He had a love for God and was always evangelizing for the Lord. He would tell everyone with whom he came into contact, about the love of God; and encouraged them to serve the Lord.
Unfortunately on October1, 2014 he suffered a second stroke which he was not able to overcome. He succumbed to his illness on October 3, 2014 at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.
Eric is remembered as a humanitarian, disciplinarian, family oriented and a stern business man.
Eric is sadly missed by son, sister, brothers, great & grandchildren, others relatives and friends and Church family & friends.
Sleep on Eric, and take your rest,
May light perpetual continue to shine on you, for Christ’s sake, we pray.
Amen
We miss you.
