Obituary for Herbert J. Hillman, Jr.

Herbert J. Hillman, Jr. of Stowe, VT and Hanover, NH died peacefully on September 8, 2024 - one day before his 92nd birthday.

Born on September 9, 1932 in Paterson, New Jersey to Herbert J. Hillman and Mabel Knippenberg Hillman. Herb attended Lawrenceville Academy, Class of 1950, and Dartmouth College, Class of 1954, and earned his MBA at New York University Graduate School of Business. He married Dorothy Ann Phillips Hillman of Scarsdale, New York on January 15, 1955. After graduation, he joined the family business, Country Club Ice Cream in Paterson, NJ until it was sold to Hood Ice Cream in 1963. Drawn to northern New England, he and Ann bought the Golden Eagle Motel that same year. It was a true family business with all four children and grandchildren working there over the years. Herb eventually partnered with his son-in-law, Neil Van Dyke and together they expanded the resort to over 95 units situated on 65 beautiful acres complete with a spa, ponds, and wooded walking trails. Many happy guests would return year after year. Herb was also a true mentor and friend to his devoted, long term staff. Their bond of friendship and dedication continued long after his move to Hanover.

Herb was very involved in the community serving as Member and President of Stowe Rotary, Stowe Area Association and one of the founding members of the Stowe Tennis Club. Other organizations and associations he served on were the board of directors of the New England Innkeepers Association, Vermont Lodging and Restaurant Association, Northern New England AAA, Mt. Mansfield Co., Stowe Planning Commission, Stowe Land Trust and the Franklin-Lamoille Bank. He was also the recipient of the Vermont Innkeeper of the Year Award in 1991. At the time of his death, he was Vice-President of his Dartmouth Class and on the planning committee for their 70th Reunion this fall.

Herb was an avid tennis player and golfer, talented gardener, and an accomplished accordionist throughout his life with youth orchestra appearances in Carnegie Hall in the 1940's, entertaining guests at the Golden Eagle weekly sing-alongs with Ann's lovely soprano voice, and in his retirement years playing for Kendal residents along with his fiddle friend up to the last month of his life. Over the years he enjoyed traveling with Ann exploring Europe and embarking on cruises to the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific and was proud to get within sight of Antarctica.

When the Golden Eagle Resort was sold in 2014, he and Ann moved to Kendal at Hanover where he enjoyed independent living until a year and a half ago. The family is incredibly grateful to the dedicated staff who provided professional and compassionate care to both Ann and Herb throughout the past decade.

Herb was predeceased by his parents, brother, John, and in 2019 by his spouse, Ann, after 64 years of marriage. He was an involved and devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his four children: Carol (Neil) Van Dyke, Barbara (Stefan) Laporte, Mary (Philip) Moen, and James (Diane) Hillman; 12 grandchildren: Sarah, Forrest, and Lia Van Dyke, Alex and Geoff Laporte, Erika, Britt, Jenna, and Haley Moen, Tim, Erik and Nicole Hillman and 10 great grandchildren - Mattias and Niko Hochtl, AJ and Elle Laporte, James and Boden Laporte, Sanna and Signy Christiansen, Brielle and Eli Jackson.

Internment is at Riverbank Cemetery in Stowe. A reception with the family to remember Herb will be held on Saturday, November 2nd at the Green Mountain Inn from 3-5PM. Donations in Herb's memory can be made to "Meals on Wheels" and "Stowe Land Trust". Arrangements are being handled by Perkins and Parker in Waterbury.