Eugene C. “Skip” Hilser, a lifelong resident of New Rochelle, passed away on July 21, 2020, with four generations of loved ones by his side. He was 89 years old.
As a young man, Skip enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and saw active combat in the Korean War. After his military service, he began his career as a tugboat captain, marine contractor and proud co-owner of Island Marine Construction with his lifelong best friend Charles “Rip” Collins. Together they worked on projects up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Captain Skip was well known on the New Rochelle waterfront and right up to his 89th birthday he would enjoy an occasional beer and chat with his buddies at Dudleys at Hudson Park. He had many hobbies in his 89 years : golfing, tennis, hunting, fishing and traveling. One of his favorite pastimes in recent years was faithfully feeding peanuts to the squirrels of Five Islands and Davenport Parks, to the point where they knew him so well they would take peanuts from his hand. We know they will miss him as much as we will.
His life was touched by many people who made lasting impressions on him: his brothers and sisters, his fellow Marines, his peers and co-workers, and those who became family through friendships and marriages and whom he loved deeply. In turn, he instilled valuable principles in us, encouraged us all to “always look out for the little guy”, and gave us endless happy memories. Skip lived an honorable life, as attested by his devotion to family and country. Some of his parting words were “My God. My family. My Country. My honor.” He leaves us with broken hearts and he will be sadly missed.
He is survived by his beloved wife MaryAnn (Fahey), and children Diane (JJ) McGrath and Edward (Catherine Donato). He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren Kelly (Gareth) Scott, Allison (Torrey) White, Maggie McGrath, and Timmy and Danny Hilser, as well as his adored great grandchildren Noah and Brooks White and Eliza and Henry Scott.
He is also survived by six of his thirteen siblings: Ruth Popham Klingler, Charlotte (James) O’Neill, Richard (Lynda), Carol Holze, Kathy Nuzzaro and Nancy O’Connor, as well as siblings-in-law Kathleen and Michael Dzuban and James and Veta Fahey. He is predeceased by his parents Edwin and Eleanor (Schafer) Hilserand siblings Edwin, Eleanor “Sue” Perri, Eugenia “Jean” Straehle, June Gill, Vincent, Claire McNamara and Peter. He also leaves behind dozens of much loved nieces and nephews, cousins,
god-children and many close friends.
His life will be celebrated with a visitation at Lloyd Maxcy’s Funeral Home on Friday, August 14, 2020,from 11am-1pm and immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Blessed Sacrament Church, New Rochelle, at 1 pm.