Dr. Hilliard Spitz

New London - Dr. Hilliard Spitz, 90, of 17 Henderson Road, New London, died Thursday night, Dec. 13, 2007, at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, where he was born in 1917.

Dr. Spitz was raised in New London, the son of Ezekiel Spitz, a Lithuanian immigrant who founded the City Coal Co. and who encouraged his son's choice of a career in medicine. His mother, Sadie Jeanette (Fabricant) Spitz, was a generous woman who instilled in him the kindness, compassion, and respect that he showed to all of his patients throughout his 43 years of practicing medicine in New London.

Dr. Spitz was a member of the 1935 graduating class from the Bulkeley School in New London. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his medical degree at Yale Medical School and did an internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York prior to entering the Navy during World War II.

Dr. Spitz served as a medical officer at the time of the Normandy Invasion and made 23 trips bringing wounded servicemen across the English Channel from France to England. He served in the Pacific Theater immediately following the war.

In 1944, Hilliard married Norma Levy of New Haven. They were mutually devoted and enjoyed a strong happy marriage for almost 63 years.

He is survived by Norma and by his three sons, Steven J. Spitz and his wife, Cynthia Ingols, of Cambridge, Mass., David H. Spitz and his wife, Diane DeGennaro, of Essex Junction, Vt., and their children, Hannah and Jacob Spitz, and Robert M. Spitz and his wife, Judith Moreland Spitz, of Waterford and their sons, Andrew, Benjamin, and Todd Spitz.

Hilly, as he was known to his friends and family, was very close to his brother, Nathaniel "Babe" Spitz, by whom he was predeceased, and to his sister, author Mildred Savage, who resides in Norwich.

Dr. Spitz returned to New London in 1948, when he started a practice in internal medicine on the corner of Williams and Broad Streets. He later moved his office to Montauk Avenue where he practiced in partnership with Dr. William J. Murray Jr., Dr. Gilbert Leib, Dr. William Colom, Dr. Kihkel Haus, and Dr. Jeffrey Frank. Dr. Spitz was highly respected by his peers and served as president of the Medical Staff of Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, as president of the New London County Medical Association, and in 1976 and 1977 as president of the Connecticut State Medical Society. Although he was recognized for his achievements by many medical organizations, he is best remembered for his generosity, his modesty, and for the kind and compassionate care that he gave to all of his patients throughout his long medical career.

Within the New London Jewish community Dr. Spitz was active with the affairs of United Jewish Appeal, Israel Bonds and as a board member of Congregation Beth El.

Known for his determination, Dr. Spitz never let adversity prevent him from enjoying life and accomplishing his goals. In his latter years, his quiet strength was an inspiration to those who knew him as he handled with dignity the challenge of personally enduring several of the medical problems that he'd spent a lifetime treating; foremost among these was his 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

Funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., today, Sunday, Dec. 16, at Congregation Beth El, 660 Ocean Ave., New London. Burial will follow in Beth El Cemetery, Groton. Memorial observance will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday at his residence.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Spitz's memory should be made to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave., New London CT 06320.

Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, is assisting with the arrangements.