Leland H Hilt Sr., age 87 the beloved husband of the late Mary Hitt, died on Wednesday April 12,
2017 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Troy on June 26. 1929 he was the son of the late Marjorie M Hitt and
Leland S Hitt/
Lee was a graduate of Troy High School. He was drafted and served in the
U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division. After serving his country, Lee returned to the Troy area and married his
"Angie," Mary Frances Campana in 1953, a union that tasted until her death
in 2012.
Lee worked for St Regis Paper Company in Cohoes for over 35 years advancing to the position of shop superintendent
.Throughout this time Lee was the owner and operator of the family egg farm
Best of the Nest.
Lee started an auto repair shoe with his son, N&L Auto Body, in 1984, a shoo
still thriving today.
Lee and Mary wars lifelong residents of Averill Park. He was a former
member of the Averill Park fire Department. Kiwanis Club. Toastmasters
Club, the North Eastern Woodworkers Association, and the Emerald Club of Troy.
He was a strong, self-sufficient man, who loved farming his land and caring for his seven children, ail
born within nine years
He is survived by his seven children Pamela (Mark) McKee Sr, of Troy, Wendy (Stuart); James of
Fort Lauderdale. Fla., Leland (Anne Rorke) Hilt Jr. of Colonie, Marjorie (Kevin) Miller Sr. of
Johnsonville, Dominick Hilt Sr., of Averill Park; Nancy Bonesteel of Averill Park and
Allison Frances Vardaro Sr of Hingham. Mass and the joys, of his life, his 19 grandchildren. Jennifer
Lambert, Jo Anna Graber and Mark McKee Jr. and Kevin. Moira and Patrick Hilt and Kevin Jr., Corey, and Kyle Miller and Kevin, Cindy, Danielle 3rd Dominick Hilt Jr. and
Briana, Brena and Brice Bonesteel. and Maria Francis Jr and Janelle Vardaro as well as
his 13 cherished great grandchildren.
He is survived by his brother George (Evelyn) Hilt, his sisters Ruth Gorham
and Marilyn Hanby and his brother-in-law Henry Hilt.
Leland was predeceased by his sister, Joan Hiilje and his brother-in-law Bob Hanby.
The family extends their sincere gratitude to Dr. Lisa M. Thom for her dignified care and compassion also Dr Joseph J Dudek and
Amanda Dipierro PA plus the nurses and staff of N.Y.O.H*.
The funeral will be from St. Henrys Church, Averill Park on Wednesday,
April 19, at 10 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial with
military honors will follow in the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery
Schuylerville.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p m in St. Henry's Church on Tuesday,. April 18.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the N.Y.O.H. Community Cancer Foundation at 449 Route 146, Suite 101 Clifton Park,
NY 12065 in memory of Leland.
Arrangements are being handled by the Wyantskill Funeral Home
[The Record,
Troy, NY, Apr. 17, 2017]
[* Jumpmaster note:
"N.Y.O.H. stands for ""New York Oncology Hematology"] |
[courtesy of Bill Preston]
Leland was selected for induction by his local draft
board on 16 January 1951.
He graduated from jump school in 1951 and
was assigned to the 508th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, Fort
Benning, Ga. Pfc Hilt was discharged in
January or February, 1953. |