Obituary of Donald Arthur Hill

Donald A. Hill, Jr. died peacefully at Adirondack Medical Center on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the age of 81. He was born on February 15, 1936 in Davison, Michigan. In 1961, he was working on a fishing boat in Fort Myers, Florida when he met Linda Lee Strack. He was smitten and the ultimate, true love story began. She was his Patsy Cline. They married on February 26, 1962 in Michigan after a whirlwind romance of only two months. They had their first three children, Valerie, Rory and Lisa before relocating to Linda's hometown of Lake Placid, N.Y. in 1968. Their last two children, Rana and Leslie were born in Lake Placid. Don worked tirelessly as a carpenter until he retired in 1998. When Don wasn't working or attending to family obligations, you could find him at Craig Wood or some other golf course fulfilling his passion. He played the game right up to the age of 77 when health complications made it impossible. This absolutely devastated him, although you could still catch him every once in awhile at the clubhouse to have some coffee or soup and hang with the guys. He was an avid Detroit Lions and Red Wings fan who also enjoyed fishing, gardening, watching Turner Movie Classics and most of all visiting with friends and family. His insatiable desire and will to live and make as many memories with these people as possible was evident in his positive attitude even at the end. There were at least a few times he could have just given up, but he overcame the incredible odds against him and pulled through yet again. He truly lived to love and loved to live and eventually his heart had grown so big and loved so much that it just had to rest. Although he was no longer quick on his feet, his brain remained sharp. The only thing quicker was his mouth. He will always be loved, cherished and remembered for the intelligent, genuine, loving, honest, witty and loyal family man he was. Besides his wife, Linda, Don is survived by their five children, Valerie (Rick) DuPont, Rory Hill, Lisa (Nick) Planty, Rana (David) Smith and Leslie (Jared) Plank. Don is also survived by his sister Pat Whitmore of Lawton, OK, and grandchildren Renee (Cavallero) Lotocki, Corissa (Cavallero) Clark, Ryan, Tyler, and Miranda Smith, Cody Hill, Hayden Plank and Eddie, Cassandra and Seth DuPont. He also has two great granddaughters, Harper and Bailey Clark and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his first great grandson due late this month. He has a large extended family including close friends who will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Doris and Jerry DeBusschere, his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Dockham, brothers Bill and Dick Dockham and sister Ruthie Weaver. Calling hours will be Tuesday, February 21st from 5 PM to 7 PM at M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home, Lake Placid, NY. The funeral will follow at 7:00 pm at the M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home, 2310 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid, NY with Pastor Andrew Borden officiating. The family suggests donations in memory of Mr. Hill be made to the Adirondack Health Renal Dialysis Unit, P.O. Box 120, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 Relatives and friends are invited to share a memory, order flowers, upload a photo or leave condolences at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com .