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Gerald Hildreth
Gerald C. Hildreth died April 25, 2019, at Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue, following a long illness. He was 72.
Born and raised in Sag Harbor, the son of Clifford and Margaret (Parry) Hildreth, he was a longtime resident of Hampton Bays.
After graduating from Pierson High School, he served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1972. He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Horn, in 1967.
After serving in the Navy, he became a laboratory technician at Southampton Hospital, where he worked for 38 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, carving his own duck decoys. He was a capable sketch artist, painter, gardener and accomplished coin collector. He was a die-hard fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants, and volunteered at the St. Rosalie’s food pantry in his later years.
He enjoyed reading, kayaking, cooking and spending quality time with his family. Survivors said he had a wonderful sense of humor and could make anyone laugh regardless of the situation. He could often be found hanging out at the Hampton Bays Fire Department, where he was an active member for 44 years. He was an ex-captain of the Hampton Bays Fire Police and member of the Hampton Bays Fire Department Benevolent Association. He was also a member of the Good Ground Rod and Gun Club and a former member of the Hand Aldrich American Legion Ambulance.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Sharon (Horn) Hildreth; his daughter, Jennifer Hildreth and husband Bill Close; his son, Jeremy Hildreth and wife Colleen (Ryerson) Hildreth; his brother, Bruce Hildreth; his grandchildren, Billy, Daniel, Madison and Ryan; and many close friends.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Scott Rothwell Funeral Home in Hampton Bays. A funeral Mass was scheduled for May 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Rosalie in Hampton Bays.
on Apr 29, 2019