Donald Thomas Hill

He was born on October 19, 1931, in Orange, New Jersey, to Raymond and Elsie Hill. He was the second of four brothers: Robert, Howard, and Jay.

Donald graduated from Bloomfield High School and married Joan Carol Shaw on April 14, 1951, at Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield, New Jersey. They were married for 60 years.

Donald worked for many years as a Field Service Technician for several companies, beginning in New Jersey and later continuing in South Florida. After retirement, he lived in Ocala, Florida, before later moving to Tavares, Florida.

He enjoyed playing tennis, ping pong, and pool, as well as painting, fishing, boating, and taking flying lessons.

Donald loved traveling with his family. Over the years he took them on many summer vacations to Florida beaches and Disney parks, as well as trips to visit relatives in New Jersey and Las Vegas. Together they explored many places across the country, including the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Alamo, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, New England, and the California redwoods.

Family members remember many simple but meaningful moments with him: making sandwiches before boat rides, afternoon drives, picnics in parks or by the beach, and walks along the riverfront in Mount Dora. They also recall him singing Nat King Cole songs to Joan while they swayed together, sharing quiet moments that reflected the love between them. He enjoyed creating paintings and drawings to share by email, often discussing every detail afterward. Many family members also cherish memories of playing pool with him.

He is preceded by his parents Raymond and Elsie, his wife Joan, and his brothers Robert and Howard.

He is survived by his brother Jay; his son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Lorie Hill and their children Christopher and Bryan; his son and daughter-in-law Timothy and Sandra Hill and their children Andrea, Michael, Teresa, Scott, and Stephen; and the children of his daughter Cathleen Green: Jon, Margie, and Paul.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, March 17, at 5:00 p.m. at Harden-Pauli Funeral Home, 1617 S. Bay Street, Eustis, Florida. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 18, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Dora, Florida, followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Eustis.