1923
James
2018
James Hill
January 6, 1923 — October 16, 2018
James J. H. Hill, 95, of Chestnut Hill, a steel industry executive whose career included senior level positions with Hill-Chase, Jorgenson and Bethlehem, died Tuesday, October 16, after a brief illness.
A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area, Mr. Hill was a leading figure in the region's steel industry and, more importantly to him, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was his life's most cherished achievement.
Born January 6, 1923, in Philadelphia to John and Marie (Cramp) Hill, Mr. Hill grew up in Drexel Hill and Wynnewood and graduated from Malvern Prep. He matriculated to Villanova. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Mr. Hill, then a sophomore, enlisted in the Navy Air Corps and, eventually, began flying Hellcats off carriers. He was only 20 when he earned his wings. He would earn his wings again 75 years later upon his death.
At the end of World War II, Mr. Hill returned to civilian life and Villanova, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He met
Ann (MacMurtrie), his future wife, in Cape May through mutual friends. Thus began a love affair that saw over 71 years of marriage, five children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. It was always Family First!
His Catholic faith was a very important part of his life. He never missed Sunday Mass. Later in life, Mr. and Mrs. Hill were daily communicants and served their church as Eucharistic Ministers. A longtime board member of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Mr. Hill was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2003.
Mr. Hill said that joining Philadelphia Country Club was one of the best decisions Ann and he ever made. "When we moved back to Philadelphia from Boston, we looked for a club that would compliment our family values. PCC was the clear choice!" Mr. Hill remained a Member for the next 60 years. He was a beloved figure at the Club.
In addition to his wife, Ann, he is survived by daughters Polly O'Keefe (Maria) and Karen Denney (Bryan), three sons, James (Pam), Alex (Bunny) and Rodgers (Wendy), 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was a beloved husband, father, Poppy and G-Pop. He had countless friends and never met a stranger. He was love personified!
Relatives and friends are invited to visit the family from 9:00 to 9:50 AM Saturday, October 20, at St. Katharine of Siena Church,104 S. Aberdeen Avenue, Wayne, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. Interment is private.
A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area, Mr. Hill was a leading figure in the region's steel industry and, more importantly to him, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was his life's most cherished achievement.
Born January 6, 1923, in Philadelphia to John and Marie (Cramp) Hill, Mr. Hill grew up in Drexel Hill and Wynnewood and graduated from Malvern Prep. He matriculated to Villanova. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Mr. Hill, then a sophomore, enlisted in the Navy Air Corps and, eventually, began flying Hellcats off carriers. He was only 20 when he earned his wings. He would earn his wings again 75 years later upon his death.
At the end of World War II, Mr. Hill returned to civilian life and Villanova, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He met
Ann (MacMurtrie), his future wife, in Cape May through mutual friends. Thus began a love affair that saw over 71 years of marriage, five children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. It was always Family First!
His Catholic faith was a very important part of his life. He never missed Sunday Mass. Later in life, Mr. and Mrs. Hill were daily communicants and served their church as Eucharistic Ministers. A longtime board member of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Mr. Hill was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2003.
Mr. Hill said that joining Philadelphia Country Club was one of the best decisions Ann and he ever made. "When we moved back to Philadelphia from Boston, we looked for a club that would compliment our family values. PCC was the clear choice!" Mr. Hill remained a Member for the next 60 years. He was a beloved figure at the Club.
In addition to his wife, Ann, he is survived by daughters Polly O'Keefe (Maria) and Karen Denney (Bryan), three sons, James (Pam), Alex (Bunny) and Rodgers (Wendy), 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was a beloved husband, father, Poppy and G-Pop. He had countless friends and never met a stranger. He was love personified!
Relatives and friends are invited to visit the family from 9:00 to 9:50 AM Saturday, October 20, at St. Katharine of Siena Church,104 S. Aberdeen Avenue, Wayne, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. Interment is private.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Hill, please visit our flower store.
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