Michael H. Hilley

Hilley was a lifetime resident of Queens. He was the youngest of the four children of Mary and Hugh Hilley. His father passed away when he was 12 years old, leaving his mom alone to care for the family. She taught her family about seeking and appreciating the gifts of God.

He was invited by friends to join the youth group of the Knights of Columbus, the Columbian Squires. When his father’s wake service was held, he was pleasantly surprised that a contingent of Knights came to pay their respects, even though his father was not a member. He was so impressed that when he reached the age of eighteen he became a Brother Knight.

In his High School years he attended Power Memorial Academy in Manhattan.

After graduation he worked at Chase Manhattan Bank on a four year training program in Branch Operations, while going to night school at The American Institute of Banking and Pace University. Over the four years, he trained in 44 branches of Chase.

He took a short break from school in 1964 as he was drafted into the Army during the Viet Nam War era. Due to an accident in his seventh week of basic training he was hospitalized and had to restart the eight weeks of basic training from the beginning. But his original Military Occupation Skill was changed from “pole climber” in Viet Nam to company clerk in West Germany. When the placement officials saw his background he was assigned to an Army Finance Company where he learned the job in two weeks and was promoted to Specialist Fifth Class (Sergeant) in his first year.

He returned to Chase and joined the Branch Administration Department where he worked in several positions including Training, Employee Communications, Creative Services, and Corporate Communications. With all the mergers in the banking world, he decided to early retire (after 36 years of service) in 1997. He formed a company where he used his skills to provide creative assistance to several church related organizations, usually at cost.

In retirement, he directed his energy to assisting the Knights of Columbus as a 60 year member of Olympia Council at Mary’s Nativity-St. Ann Parish. He held various positions including Grand Knight, District Deputy, State Chairman of Public Relations, and Faithful Comptroller of the Commodore John Barry Assembly. He coordinated blood drives, clothing drives, and prayer services to the Divine Mercy, and assisted with the pro-life efforts of The Bridge To Life. Through his leadership, together with his Council and the Supreme Council, an ultrasound machine was donated to New Beginnings Center of Hope in Jamaica, NY.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy, and his son, Brian. He also leaves behind two sisters.

A visitation for Michael will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2025 and Thursday February 13, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Quinn Fogarty Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358. Mass of Christian Burial will occur Friday, February 14, 2025, 9:45 AM at Mary's Nativity - St. Ann Parish, 4602 Parsons Blvd, New York, NY 11355. A graveside service will follow at Mt St Mary's Cemetery.