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James Hilsdon Obituary
His loving family survives Jas; wife Ruth Elliott-Hilsdon; siblings, brother Frank Hilsdon, sister Kathleen Flood, brother Thomas Hilsdon and his wife Mara Williams, sister Teta Hilsdon and her husband Steve Proctor, brother Mark Hilsdon and his wife Maureen; daughter Mavis Hilsdon; grandchildren Lila, Josef and Benjamin Dethlefsen, and Jasmine Ferguson; great-grandchild Jack Ferguson; and many nephews and nieces. The family celebrated Jas and his musical legacy on Ruth Elliott-Hilsdon's FaceBook page on February 24, and will do so again at a live event on March 19 in California, and on the East Coast this coming July 2023 (date TBA).
Please consider a donation in Jas's name to your local ASPCA https://www.aspca.org or ARC https://thearc.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Hilsdon
Sponsored by the family.
Ruthie
December 18, 2024
The family remembers and loves you, Jas (in the Santa hat)!
David Salvia
January 20, 2024
Jas was a very creative and prolific songwriter and a good friend. We met in 1967 and played a lot of music together. I miss him.
Fred Miller
March 8, 2023
I have fond memories of Jim and I racing around and through the local sand pit playing "Zorro" with our black face masks and tree branch swords. Also the night he climbed onto our garage to knock on my bedroom window and we raced to where Route 9 was being built. We ran down the unfinished median among bushes avoiding imaginary foes. Lastly I remember playing one gig with Jim and Danny Nichols at a Saint Mary´s event. I used Jim´s brothers drum set. I had little to no experience but Jim wanted a drummer so he gave me a set of brushes so any noise I made was muted. May God be with you in your loss. Fred Miller
Francis J. Pawlowski
March 5, 2023
Ruth,
Jas and I were 1967 XHS classmates. I remember a few times ( perhaps more than a few times! ) that he was reminded by one of the Brothers to not ".....draw during class time." What else can I remember about Jas? He was quiet and actually thought first and spoke second.
Our paths did not cross after our graduation. I went off to college and eventually moved to the Navajo Reservation in 1971 to begin teaching at St.Michaels Indian School.
You and Jas are in my prayers. Thanks for including a fantastic photo of both of you!
Karyn
March 4, 2023
Very much love to you all
Audrey Klein
March 3, 2023
I am so very sorry for all of you. Keep his memory close.
Liz Whitty, Xavier High School
March 2, 2023
Xavier High School extends sincere condolences to the Hilsdon Family. Jas, his family, and friends are in the prayers of this Xaverian community.
Elizabeth Heller
March 2, 2023
To Ruth Elliot-Hilldon, Family and Friends. I am very sorry for your loss.
Ruth Elliott-Hilsdon
March 1, 2023
On my way into a music event, I was walking behind Jas when I saw a blue light flash above his head. When he opened the gate for me I felt something special. When he opened his mouth and heard his music it resonated with me and I couldn't let go of the feeling it was calling ME and that we were meant to be together. I have never regretted following that call. That night in September of 2012 as he walked me to my car, we exchanged emails and never looked back. Those 10 years were the happiest I'd known. Thank you for being in my life, Jas. Your love is with me still! https://youtu.be/AC4zYA4gzjY
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