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Matthew Hitlin Obituary


Family-Placed Death Notice

HITLIN, Matthew A. MATTHEW AUGUST HITLIN Matthew August Hitlin passed away Saturday, April 9, 2011, in Decatur, GA. Matt was born February 24, 1923, in Winfield, Long Island, New York. He was raised as a Roman Catholic and later served as an usher for many years at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, GA. He graduated from the Academy of Aeronautics in 1942 as an aircraft mechanic and worked at Griffin Air Force Base, Rome, New York, until February, 1943. Matt was a Medical Administrator in the 9th Air Force from March 1, 1943, until Honorably Discharged on February 26, 1946. He was stationed in England, France and Germany during World War II. He married Leatrice Saverino on April 29, 1951, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Long Island City, New York. He graduated from the Pratt Institute School of Architecture in 1950. He worked for Johns-Manville Corporation from 1949 until retiring in 1982 as District Engineer-Building Products, starting in their New York City headquarters, then in their District Office in Atlanta, GA, and traveled throughout the southeastern states. He received a special award from the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for his many years of service to their profession. He worked as a roofing consultant for Law Engineering Company from 1982 until 1999. He was president of the Georgia Architectural & Engineering Society, Atlanta Chapter of the Construction Specification Institute, and the Institute of Roofing and Waterproofing Consultants. He was awarded the title of Fellow in the IRWC and Roof Consultants Institute. He was very active in the B.P.O. Elks-he served in all stations of the Decatur Lodge #1602, was State President of the Georgia Elks Association, and served on the Board of Trustees of the Elks Aidmore Children's Center, Conyers, GA, for twenty years. Matt and his wife loved to travel and visited 28 countries over the years. Matt leaves his wife, Leatrice and two daughters, Debra McGeorge of Buford, GA, and Jane Spearman and her husband, Dr. Stephen Spearman of Raleigh, NC, and Savannah, GA. Visitation will be held from 6:00pm till 8:00pm Monday evening, April 11, at A.S. Turner & Sons in Decatur, GA. A funeral mass will be held at 2:00pm Tuesday afternoon, April 12, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, GA, with burial following at Decatur Cemetery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Apr. 10 to Apr. 11, 2011.

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5 Entries

Janet Thigpen

April 27, 2011

Jane and Debbie, You are in my prayers. I never met your father, but I know the fruit he bore in you. I am caring for my 86 year old father and know how precious the time is. Blessings on you both. Janet Thigpen

Bonnie Robbins

April 23, 2011

Debbie and Janie, I am so sorry to hear about your father's passing. I enjoyed the many times I came to your house during our high school years. He was such a nice guy! Be glad that you had him for these many years. Take care and I hope to see you soon. Ross and I both send our love. Bonnie

April 17, 2011

I was Assistant District Engineer under Matt at the Johns-Manville office in Atlanta over 40 years ago. He was a brilliant man and a great teacher. My condolences to his family and friends.

Joe Jordan
Smyrna, GA

April 12, 2011

I was so sorry to hear this sad news. I often visited your home during our high school years and have fond memories of your parents. Your dad was a very fine man. My sincere condolences-
Kay Teien Blackstock

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