Jack Hitchner

John Thornton Hitchner, a longtime resident of Keene, died peacefully at home on November 11, 2024. Known as "Jack" to friends and family, he impacted many and leaves behind a legacy of memories. Born April 26, 1941 in Camden, New Jersey, Jack was the only child of Ethel Lucretia (Marr) and Thornton Addis Hitchner Jr. He grew up in/around Pitman, NJ where he played youth baseball and enjoyed trips to Philadelphia with his Uncle Lewis Marr to see the Philadelphia A's and Phillies at Shibe Park and Connie Mack Stadium. He graduated from Pitman High School in 1959 and from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education. Later, he earned a Master of Arts from Dartmouth College in 1977. Jack taught English in Somerset, NJ at Franklin Junior High School and then Franklin High School before joining the English Department at Keene High School (KHS) in September 1969. He taught at KHS for 32 years, retiring in 2001. Jack also served as an adjunct professor at Keene State College for over a decade. Jack became a well-published author of poetry, short stories, and a novel titled "The Acolyte". His publications include two poetry collections --'Seasons and Shadows' and 'Not Far From Here'-- and a collection of short fiction 'How Far Away, How Near'. His poem "My Father in Winter" was awarded the Robert Penn Warren Free Verse prize by The Anthology of New England Writers. Jack is survived by his wife Patricia (Hobbs) Hitchner and her daughters Kerri and her husband Joseph Immergut, Kristi and her husband Daniel Doman, and Amy and her husband Nick Roy; and son John R Hitchner, from Jack's first marriage to Nancy (Bettinger) Hitchner, and John's wife Suzan; grandchildren Isabel and Jacob Hitchner, Kira and Nora Doman, and Claire Janvier. Calling hours are Friday, November 22nd from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday November 23rd from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Keene State College Alumni Center, 229 Main Street, Keene, NH. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a donation to the Keene State College General Scholarship Endowment, mailing address: Advancement Services, Keene State College, 229 Main Street MS 2701, Keene, NH 03435.