Frederic Wesley Hillis

Frederic W. Hillis Athol, MA - Frederic Wesley Hillis, 90, of 3252 Chestnut Hill Avenue, former hospital Administrator died Friday, September 28, 2012.  He leaves his wife of 57 years Elizabeth Jane (Faulkner) Hillis.  He was predeceased by his first wife, Lorraine (Carpenter) Hillis who died in 1954.      Fred was born on March 19, 1922 in Hudson Falls, N.Y. the son of the late Lottie (Heath) and Ralph S. Hillis.  He graduated from Hudson Falls High School class of 1940, attended St. Lawrence University and Skidmore College, under a war scholarship for veterans. Fred was an army veteran of World War II serving as Company Clerk to the 3rd Infantry Regiment in the European Theater.      Mr. Hillis began his hospital career with the Glens Falls Hospital in 1946 becoming Assistant Administrator in 1953.  In 1954, he was appointed Administrator of the Delaware Valley Hospital, Walton, NY and Administrator of Athol Memorial Hospital in 1960 – a position he held until his retirement in 1985.      While at Athol Memorial Hospital he oversaw a $21.4 million expansion project increasing bed size from 82 to 101, and numerous diagnostic and clinical services were added; a home health agency was established; two medical arts buildings opened; a Family Health Plan was established giving health care to families and individuals within a specified income level; the North Quabbin Health Plan (HMO) was launched; and a heliport on hospital grounds was started.        Mr. Hillis served 8 years on the University of Massachusetts Hospital Management Board; he was formerly on the Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators; Massachusetts Hospital Association task force on Health Maintenance Organizations; Board of Directors of Ad Care Hospital; and other health organizations.  He is a Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.      In addition, Mr. Hillis was a former member and past president of the Athol – Orange Rotary Club and the Petersham Curling Club.  He served as an Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees for both Athol Savings Bank and Athol Memorial Hospital.  He was recognized for having completed 65 years of service to the Hershel Argyle Masonic Lodge # 508 of which he was a Past Master.      He was a member of the Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church and served as Treasurer as well as chairman of numerous committees.      Fred enjoyed traveling, boating, camping and had a great interest in antique cars and music.  A very important part of his life was family.      Fred is survived by two sons, David his wife Patrice, Jim his wife Raquel and two daughters, Kathy Dennis her husband Steve and Nancy Hillis; six grandsons, David, Jr., Jeffrey, Ryan, and Matthew Hillis, Nicholas and Michael Dennis; five great-grandchildren, Grace, Lily, Ben, Olivia and Jack; and  brother-in-law Roderick his wife Helen Carpenter of Hudson Falls, NY.      Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol, MA with the Rev. Adam Randazzo, pastor of Starrett Methodist officiating.  Calling hours will be Monday, October 1, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:30 P.M.  A graveside service will be held Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Glens Falls Cemetery in Glens Falls, NY.      In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Athol Memorial Hospital, Frederic W. Hillis Memorial Fund, 2033 Main St., Athol, MA  01331 or the Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church - Living Memorial Fund, 40 Island St. Athol, MA  01331. For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });