Herbert F. Hillery

Herbert F. Hillery of Mahopac, NY passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Herb was born in Buffalo, NY on November 2, 1932, the son of Herbert and Marion (O'Brien) Hillery.
At a young age of 13, Herb met the love of his life, June Mahany, which began an enduring love story. He and June were married at St. Thomas Aquinas church in Buffalo on June 12, 1954. They were married for 61 years until her passing in 2015. Herb is survived by his children Terrence (Louise) of New Fairfield, CT, H. Christopher (Jane) of Red Hook, NY, Cathleen Truschelli (Michael) of Clermont, FL, Colleen Strawderman (Mark) of Cranston, RI, Susan Groth (Rick) of Mahopac, NY, Kevin (Patricia) of North Smithfield, RI and Sean (Jen) of Southbury, CT. He and June had 21 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. In addition to June, he was predeceased by his son, Timothy in 2004, his brother Joseph and his sister, Susan Schmitt.
Herb was in the first graduating class of Timon High School where he was an all-star athlete in basketball and baseball. He was part of the American Legion State Championship team in Cooperstown, NY in 1949, and had the honor of being inducted into the Timon Athletic Hall of Fame.
He earned a bachelor's degree in Physics at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY in 1955 while also continuing an outstanding baseball career. He was approached by several major league baseball scouts, but after starting a family, he chose to begin his career with Union Carbide at their Tonawanda, NY location. In 1969, he relocated to Mahopac, NY to work at Union Carbide's research center in Tarrytown, NY, and concluded a long and rewarding career as a Physicist Group Leader until retirement in 1992.
Herb passed on his love for athletics to all his children and became actively involved in coaching numerous Mahopac athletes through the St. John's CYO basketball and the Mahopac Sports Association basketball and baseball programs. Additionally, he helped his children get involved in various cross country and track and field events and was the founder of the Mahopac John P. Mooney Fourth of July 8 mile Lake Run annual event, which he organized for many years.
Herb lived his life by example, the greatest of this was his devotion to his Catholic faith. He and June were active parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac. They were long time members of the church's Folk (Contemporary Music) Group, the Fr. John P. Mooney Council #1543 Knights of Columbus / Columbiettes, and volunteered in many church events. Herb's love of family, his strong work ethic, and devote faith left a profound impact on those who knew him.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26 from 1-5 pm at Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home in Mahopac. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 27 at 10 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, Mahopac with interment to follow at Ballard-Barrett Cemetery, Mahopac Falls, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Herb to St. John the Evangelist Church, 221 East Lake Boulevard, Mahopac, NY 10541.