Biddeford, ME- Ralph G. Hillman, 84, of Biddeford died Monday, June 6, 2022 at Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine. He was born on June 4,1938 in Shirley, MA the son of Ralph and Hazel Hillman.
During his early years, when he formed several lifelong relationships, Ralph, or Sonny as many called him, graduated from Newton High School in MA where he played basketball and excelled at shop and wood working. He spent two years in the Army Reserves. His eagerness and drive as a student at the NCR Training Center in Dayton, Ohio, in his younger years, led to a 41+ year career filled with lifelong friendships. His career brought with it several relocations but he was always eager to give back to his new found communities through church, Lions Club and town and board involvement. A consummate Mr. Fix It, he was very handy, undertaking everything from homebuilding, rental apartment management, to furniture making, with the occasional car restoration thrown in as time allowed. Forever proud of his lawn upkeep, the man could operate a lawn tractor as though it was an appendage. While a terrific cook and first rate BBQ'er, one of his great passions was 'cocktail hour' and his finely honed Manhattan, "the" rocks on the side of course. He also loved his winter escape to Naples, FL every year where he could play golf and enjoy the camaraderie of so many close friends at High Point Country Club.
Ralph passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, including his loving wife of 36 years, Pamela J. (Cogswell, Gorham) Hillman. The family includes his son Craig Hillman, daughter-in-law Susan (Crosby) Hillman of Plymouth, MA, and their children Stephen and Kimberly; son Douglas Hillman, daughter-in-law Gretchen (Harvey) Hillman of Whitefield, NH, and their daughter Ayla Knapton; son Alan Hillman, daughter-in-law Shelley (Dezan) Hillman of Youngsville, NC, and their daughters Abigail (Hillman) Kennon, Rachel (Hillman) Moore, Grace (Hillman) Burke, Annah, and son Isaiah; stepdaughter Janine Gorham of Arundel, ME, and daughter Lynne Lowell; stepson Scott Gorham, daughter-in-law Sandra (Bisceglia) Gorham of Needham, MA, and daughter Alexandra; stepson Jason Gorham of Charlotte, NC, and daughter Olivia. Additionally, he leaves behind one brother, Donald Hillman of Tampa, FL and four great grandchildren, Noah, Jonathan and Gabriel Kennon, and Calvin Kraft.
He was predeceased by his sister Joyce Drinkwater, and his brother Verne Hillman, Sr..
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the memory of Ralph Hillman to St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 350 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, Maine 04074, or The Good Shepherd Food Bank, 3121 Hotel Road, Auburn, Maine 04210.
A graveside burial service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Brooklawn Memorial Park, 2022 Congress Street, Portland, Maine (look for flag pole at center of park).
Additionally, at Ralph's request a celebration of his life will be held at a future date, to be determined.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Ralph’s online guest book.
