LYNWOOD BRADFORD HILT

UNION – Lynwood Bradford Hilt, 100, a resident of the Payson Road passed away with his three children at his bedside, Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at the Quarry Hill Care Facility in Camden. Lynwood was born Dec. 28, 1903, in Hope, a son of Wilbur D. and Alice A. Sprague Hilt. He moved to Union with his family in 1917 and graduated from Union High School in the Class of 1923. He was employed in various vocations during his lifetime. Although, primarily a carpenter by trade, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for many years. In the early days, to ensure the mail went through in the winter months, he drove an early version of the snowmobile, a converted Model T Ford, with skis in place of the front wheels and treads on the rear. When that failed, he snow-shoed much of the route in the bitter cold. During World War II, he worked in the carpenter’s shop at the Camden Shipyard, supporting the construction of wooden barges for the war effort. He was also a poultry farmer, raising up to 25,000 broilers at a time. During his lifetime, he built many homes and cottages on Crawford Lake and Sennebec Pond. Along with the home construction, he remodeled many homes during his career. He retired in 1976 from the Knox Mining Co. where his primary responsibility was leasing land for exploration. Active in civic affairs, he served the town of Union as a selectman for many years, and as trustee of the Union Senior Apartments. A proud mason, he was a 79-year member of Union Masonic Lodge No. 31, twice served as Master, and longtime secretary. In addition, he was a member of Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Portland, Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston, Midcoast Shrine Club, Eastern Star and the Pioneer Grange. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a member and past president of the Knox County Fish and Game Club. He enjoyed woodworking and making furniture for family members, until his failing eyesight forced him to stop. He went out dancing on a regular basis until this past August. He was a member of the Knox County Liars Club, meeting at Come Spring Restaurant, swapping stories and tall tales. For the last 13 years, Mr. Hilt wintered in Mount Dora, Fla., where he maintained a small home and enjoyed visiting with his neighbors. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Evelyn Sorber Hilt, who passed away in 1989; a sister, Sara Wentworth; and a brother, Jesse Hilt. Survivors include sons, Milton B. Hilt and his wife, Sandra, of St. James City, Fla., and Union, Bruce C. Hilt of Union; daughter, Lynette H. Wessel of Union; grandchildren, Carol Daum and her husband, Ted, of Sanford, Fla., Bradford Hilt and his wife, Yoko, of Roswell Ga., Lyndee Tisinger and her husband, Eric, of Chandler Ariz., Brian Hilt of Union, Melissa Winslow and her husband, Jason, of Cushing; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at the Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St. Waldoboro. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at the Peoples United Methodist Church in Union with the Rev. Michelle Grube officiating. A Masonic Memorial Service will be conducted by the Brethren of Union Lodge No. 31 at the Church. Interment will be in the East Union Cemetery in Union following the service. A gathering of friends will follow at the Union Masonic Lodge No. 31 in Union. Should friend’s desire, memorial donations may be made in Lynwood’s name to the Union Lodge No. 31, P.O. Box, 110, Union, ME 04862. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro.