Mr. Robert "Lee" Hildreth

Mr. Robert “Lee” Hildreth, 84, a local sports legend of the late 40’s and 50’s passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016, at Kimball Farms Nursing Center in Lenox, MA after a prolonged illness. He was born on July 27, 1932 the son of Robert W. and Dorothy Linberg Hildreth. Lee was well-known throughout Western MA for his athletic accomplishments in baseball, basketball and football. He was a 1950 graduate of West Springfield High School where he earned All Western Mass honors in all three of those sports. He went on to Deerfield Academy, graduating in 1951, and again excelled in all three sports. Before graduating in 1955 from Amherst College, Lee continued to be a stand-out in football and baseball, though his basketball career was cut short by injuries. After college, Lee joined the Air Force and saw active service in Korea. He was the catcher for his Air Force softball team that won the Southeastern Softball Championship. Following active service, Lee was assigned to the Mass ANG., at Barnes Air Force Base in Westfield, MA, where he retired as a Major. Primarily, he was employed by Mass Mutual for thirty-three years and held LIC and CLU designations. When he retired, Lee was Director of the Eastern Region, Underwriting Department. Continuing his love of sports, Lee officiated high school football for over thirty-three years and high school and college basketball for over twenty-five years. Lee was a member of the West Springfield Elks, the West Springfield Lions Club, the Dante Club and the Westover Officer’ Club. He was a past President of the Western Mass Football and Basketball Associations, Past Director of the Paucatuck Cemetery Association, and for over 40 years, treasurer and officer of the Amherst College Class of 1955. Lee loved travelling and made extensive visits to Europe as well as throughout the United States. He loved warm climates and spent many months in Aruba and Florida during the winter. He enjoyed lying on beaches, playing golf, dancing and playing cards (especially cribbage). Lee was predeceased by his first wife, Aida (Pisano) Hildreth and their daughter Lynda Guevin; his sister, Carole Orlosk and her husband , Fred; his second wife, Nance (O’Connor) Hildreth. He is survived by his beloved wife Beverly (Doyle) Hildreth; his brother, Bruce and his wife, Noreen (Delaney) Hildreth; granddaughter, Deja Murray and his great granddaughter, Aeris. He also leaves his stepchildren, former Mayor, Gerald S. Doyle, Jr. and his wife Beth, Debbie Lussier and her husband, Tom, Kellie Klesel and her husband, Joe and Timothy Doyle as well as countless beloved nieces and nephews. After marrying Bev, he moved to their home on Lake Ashmere in Hinsdale, MA. In addition to their extensive traveling, Bev and Lee loved sitting out on the deck and watching the sunset, taking friends out on the party boat and, above all, entertaining family and friends. Lee will always be remembered, especially by his Amherst “buddies” who formed a friendship that lasted for over sixty years. Lee’s warm smile, easy going disposition, self-deprecating sense of humor and love of family were cherished by all. Lee, you will be greatly missed! The family would like to thank the staff at Kimball Farms for the kind and compassionate care they gave Lee during his stay. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Mr. Robert “Lee” Hildreth will be Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 47 Pine St., West Springfield MA. Burial will follow in Paucatuk Cemetery. There will be an hour of visitation in the Church, prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Calling hours at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA will be Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 4 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amherst College Alumni, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, in his memory.

Mr. Robert "Lee" Hildreth

July 27, 1932 - November 25, 2016