John Reid Hill

1927 - 2012

WARNER - John Reid Hill, 85, of Warner, passed away at his home Thursday, November 29th, 2012.

John was born June 9th, 1927 in Concord, the son of Orton F. and Jeanette (Reid) Hill. A life-long resident of Warner, John attended local schools and graduated from Simonds Free High School in 1945.

After graduation, he went to work with his father at the Orton F. Hill Coal and Ice Company, and later the Warner Fuel Company. In 1951 he and his father built Hill Box Company, running it as owner/operator for 27 years.

John served as the fire watchman in the Mt. Kearsarge Fire Tower, a position he held for 13 years. John also served 40 years as a NH Fire Warden and 35 years with the Warner Fire Department, retiring as Deputy Chief.

Volunteerism and community support to the town he loved was very important to John. As a young man during WW II, John volunteered as an enemy airplane observer in an organization began by his mother. Later John served on multiple town committees including the town Budget Committee, the Warner Fall Foliage Committee, with one year as the Chairman, and was one of the original town Master Plan committee members. He served 44 years on the Chandler Reservation Committee and also served as a Warner Precinct Commissioner and as a Trustee of the Simonds Free High School Fund. John was a founding member and former Trail Master of the Kearsarge Trail Snails snowmobile club and was a member of the Harris Lodge #91 F. & AM for 60 years.

In 2001 the Warner Men's Club Community Service Award was given to John for "his dedication, professionalism and commitment throughout his adult life." John and his wife Beverly were also recognized by the Harris Lodge in 1998 for their service to the community and the 1995 Warner Town Report was dedicated to them both.

John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beverly (Savory) Hill; two daughters, Diane Hill of Mirror Lake, Martha Mical and her husband Ed, of Warner; a son, Fred Hill and his wife Tammy, of Warner; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

A Masonic Service will be held Sunday, December 2nd, at 3:30 p.m., at the Harris Lodge #91 on Church St. in Warner. A reception and visiting hours will follow from 4 to 7 p.m.

Graveside services will be held Monday, December 3rd, at 1 p.m., at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Warner.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Warner Fire Fighters Association, PO Box 64, Warner, NH 03278 or the Harris Lodge #91 F. & AM. PO Box 54 Warner, NH, 03278.

Chadwick Funeral Home in New London is in charge of arrangements.