Obituary of Donald Hill

Donald H. Hill of Grahamsville, NY died on Friday Sept. 9, 2011 at Orange Regional Medical Center. He was 80. Don was born in Woodbourne, NY on May 19, 1931 to the late Dorothy Brown Hill and Benjamin Hill. He graduated from Fallsburg High School in 1949 and began work at The Victory Market in Woodbourne, then later as a butcher in Liberty. Don proudly served his country in the Navy from 1951 to 1955, rising to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. After the military Don worked for the New York State Eastern Correctional Facility from May 10, 1956 to May 10, 1986. After his retirement he held three other jobs that he enjoyed, such as Superintendent of The Grahamsville Rural Cemetery from 1986 to 2001, school bus driver for Tri-Valley Activities and umpire for girls' softball, little league and recreational leagues. Don also found time for many other community organizations. He was a volunteer fireman for Woodbourne and then transferred to Grahamsville Fire Department (1949 to present), served as fire commissioner for 30 years and could always be found at the fireman's' booth at the Little World's Fair. Don also served his community as a member of the Grahamsville First Aid Squad. He was one of the founding members of the Tri-Valley Little League, could be found supporting and cheering on the Tri-Valley Bear's school athletics teams, and was a supporter of the FAA. Don was a long-standing member of the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery Association, and in 1989, he was one of the founding members of the Flag Day Exchange Ceremony held at Grahamsville Reformed Church. The exchange is held on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day to honor past veterans and civic minded community members. He was a member of the Woodbourne Reformed Church and later transferred to The Grahamsville Reformed Church. Don was a dedicated and community-minded person that he was know around Grahamsville, unofficially, "mayor" and could be found most mornings having coffee with his friends and neighbors. Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Pauline "Polly" Thompson Hill, married on August 17, 1957; his children, David and Lisa Hill of Virginia Beach, VA, Glenn and Sally Hill of Philmont, NY and Susan Hill and Cheryl Martin of Orlando Beach, FL; grandchildren Aaron and Matthew Hill of Virginia Beach, Sarah Allen and fiance, Joe Raco Jr. of Red Hook, Rebekah Allen of Rhinebeck; sister, June Schmitz of Hasbrouck, NY and many nieces and nephews. One sister, Charlotte Hill, predeceased him in 2000. Visitation will be held Monday, Sept. 12 at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Rte. 52, Woodbourne, NY from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Firematic Services will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday at The Grahamsville Reformed Church, St. Rte. 55, Grahamsville, NY at 11 a.m. The Rev. Paul Z. Ruter, officiating. Interment will follow with full military honors at The Grahamsville Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Don requested that donations be made to The Grahamsville Ladies Auxiliary, Grahamsville Fireman's Scholarship Fund, or Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home 845-434-7363 www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com