John Dawley Hulser

John Dawley Hulser, 81, of Homosassa, Fla., and formerly of Manchester, died Feb. 28, 2007.

He was born on Oct. 27, 1925, in Ogdensburg, N.Y., to Felix R. and Eleanor Hulser and grew up in Mystic. During WW II, he served in the Army Air Corps, 451st Bomb Group, and was a flight engineer in the Martin Turret of the B-24 Liberator. On their first mission, on Valentine's Day, the plane was shot down behind enemy lines and they were taken captive. Among his medals, he was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross for attempting to save the life of the pilot. After his honorable discharge he graduated from Babson College. He had a career as an audiologist and was involved in the hearing aid industry for over 40 years, owning his own franchise in West Hartford. He was the North East Regional Representative for Beltone Hearing Aids and was known as "John D. Hulser, your Beltone Neighbor" in his weekly advertisement. Mr. Hulser was an accomplished pilot and a member of the Citrus Aviation and Mooney Pilots Assoc.

He was past president of the Aircraft Owners Pilot Assoc., and a charter member of The Collings Foundation of Stow, Mass., that involved the restoration of the only existing flying B-24 Liberator, a living history museum seen at over 130 cities per year. The B-24 brings memories for the many who flew others like it during WW II. It promotes the mission that they fly for: honoring our veterans who served and, in many cases, gave their lives for our freedom. John and his wife Joan were able to fly on the restored B-24 Liberator, which has his name painted on the side of it. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge F & M of CT for over 50 years. He brought his love of boating to his family. Many wonderful summers were spent on Sinbad VI, the 47-ft. yacht that he restored after it had been used as a mine-sweeper during WW II on the Long Island Sound. He enjoyed swimming, being the first in his pool in spring as well as the last in the fall. He was best known for his joke telling as well as his love of music. In the 1940s he was a drummer in a swing band and later enjoyed playing the organ. He was a great loving and caring husband, father and grandpa. His wife of 49 years, Joan, died in 1994. They had met while he was on leave, proposing four days later, and marrying after his return to the U.S. They raised their family primarily in Manchester.

He is survived by his loving wife, Norma Hulser; three loving daughters, Diane (Hank) Tremblay, Susan (Peter) Borofsky and Nancy Platek; six adored grandchildren, Matt, Colin (Aline), Ryan, Peter (Katie) and Adam Borofsky, Alison (Steven) Webster and Lindsey Platek; as well as the many friends he made starting in grade school, the military, both his neighborhood and business, and the friends he met from all over the country through his love of flying.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the Collings Foundation, P.O. Box 248, Stow, MA 01775.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held June 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Community Baptist Church, 585 E. Center St., Manchester.