Donald G. Hills

Donald G. Hills, 85, of Wilmington, passed away Thursday, June 28th at Tufts New England Medical Center after complications from surgery.

He was the husband of the late Elizabeth F. “Polly” (Jarvis) Hills, who passed away in 1978. Donald was born in Everett, Mass on February 4, 1922, son of the late Ralph S. and Eva (Houghton) Hills. He attended grade school in Everett until 1932 when the family moved to Reading, Mass, and graduated from Reading High School in 1940. He worked for the Boston & Maine Railroad from November of 1941 until his retirement in January of 1982, starting out as a ticket agent/telegrapher in the Reading station. He worked various ticket and freight agencies, as well as several signal towers around the Boston area before being promoted to Train Dispatcher in 1960.

Donald was a life long rail enthusiast, taking many photographs of trains and riding trains wherever and whenever he could. This culminated in a book of his photographs being published in 2005, something he was very proud of. He was also a model railroader and was a member of the North Shore Model Railroad Club of Wakefield and a life member of the Waushakum Live Steamers of Holliston.

He is survived by two sons, Walter G. Hills and his wife Patricia of Danvers and Wayne D. of Wilmington, with whom he lived from his retirement until his passing, his beloved granddaughter Morgan Elizabeth Hills, and by many nieces and nephews. Donald was the dear brother of the late Henry Willard Hills, Eva Marie Styles, Ralph Chester Hills, Cecil Houghton Hills, and Wesley Oliver Hills.

“Last Train Home”, a celebration of the life and times of Donald G. Hills will be held for family and friends at the Wilmington United Methodist Church, 87 Church Street (Route 62), Wilmington at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21st.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald’s memory may be made to the New England Division of the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 9119, Boston, MA 02117-9119. Railfan friends may also wish to donate in Donald’s memory to the Flying Yankee Restoration Group, Inc., Paul Giblin, President, P.O. Box 145, North Woodstock, NH 03262.

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