Santa Rosa hit hard by loss of Arlene Francis Center’s Martin Hamilton
Martin Hamilton unexpectedly lost his brief battle with cancer on Sept. 1. Santa Rosa lost a friend, an advocate, a mentor, a colleague, and a family member. He was thoughtfully intentional with familial, personal, and work relationships. He was a devoted community advocate, an active grandfather, and he positively impacted countless lives.
A legacy of friendship and community
Hamilton was a close friend and longtime colleague of Peter Gabel, son of Arlene Francis. The Arlene Francis Foundation purchased the iconic red brick building that historically housed a flour mill. It’s located in the Railroad Square district on the north side of A’Roma Roasters. It served as the North Bay campus of New College from the mid-1990s to 2008. The building then transitioned into the Arlene Francis Center (AFC). Gabel passed away two years ago on Oct. 25, leaving his other partners to take the reins. Hamilton was dedicated to the foundation alongside Gabel from the beginning. The other central figures are Colleen O’Neal, Alcina Horstman, Bruce Rhodes, and Milinda Franks.
A center for spirit, art, and politics
AFC thrives as a cultural hub, embodying spirit, art, and politics. Hamilton’s vision of inclusivity and connection lives on, keeping the center deeply tied to the community.
Hamilton was a true listener. He empowered people to act on their ideas with a simple, “Yes, try it!” His encouragement helped turn countless dreams into reality.
A welcoming and safe space
For years, Hamilton brought people together through working directly with the community. He offered a platform for locals to showcase their talents and explore creative projects. Anyone could pull up a chair to the table, both figuratively and literally. He was always there to warmly
greet whoever popped in. It was a reliable space with safety as a core priority.
Carrying on the legacy
The legacy of Arlene Francis continues in the deep-rooted relationship to social action. The vitality of the foundation hasn’t died with the passing of Peter Gabel or Martin Hamilton. Though they were the lifeblood for years, their philosophy of inclusivity is shared by the other leaders.
Everyone had high hopes for Hamilton’s recovery from his recent diagnosis, including him and his doctors. Fortunately for the general public and partner organizations, the AFC torch is being carried on. Operations will continue as usual, as they have for the last few months in his absence.
A lasting impact
The AFC is a uniquely quilted cloth made up of colorful threads woven throughout the city, county, state, and beyond. If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s never too late. You may not meet its irreplaceable founders, but you’ll witness their vision through your own one-of-a-kind experience.
Santa Rosa will miss Martin Hamilton, a central figure at the Arlene Francis Center.