The Town of Union honored longtime citizen — and Union native — Don Hills, who died in April. The dedication reads:

It is with honor and pleasure that we dedicate this year’s Town of Union Annual Report to Donald (Don) F. Hills. Before the printing of this report Don passed away. He was visited at Togus by resident Barry Norris and was verbally made aware of the dedication.

Except for the first few years of marriage and one winter spent working in Florida, Don Hills has been content to live the remainder of his almost 71 years in the Town of Union. His ancestral roots run deep since he is a descendant of Phillip Robbins, one of the earliest settlers of Union, on his mother’s side; and a 10th generation descendant of Reuben Hills, who in 1802 settled his family on the land where Don now lives. 

Born on August 8, 1947 to Vivian (Viv) and Marguerite (Robbins) Hills, he was brought home to the Hills homestead on Sennebec Road. He grew up there with his older sister Joyce. Sadly, he never knew his father, a World War II veteran who died from leukemia when Don was about a year old. Eventually his mother met and married Richard (Dick) Gorden, of whom Don has commented that he “could not have picked a better stepfather.” With Dick being the owner/operator of F. W. Gorden & Son, the local general store, and his mother running Hills Rest Home for more than 30 years, Don grew up observing the dedication and personal sacrifices it often takes to run a successful business. 

After graduating from “the old yellow school” in June 1966, Don surprised his parents by enlisting in the Army. He volunteered to go to Vietnam, where he survived serving two tours from 1967 to 1969. During those intense years, he had the support of neighbors and friends who sent “care packages” that arrived bearing home-baked goods, John Deere umbrellas and even a four-leaf clover which returned home with him.

Following discharge from the Army, Don was eventually employed by local B. M. Clark Company in sales and manufacturing of bulk feed units. In 1972 he married Lorna (Mitchell) of Appleton. Three years after their son Justin arrived, he made the bold decision to go on his own:  he created the Don Hills Co., Inc. It was the only way he could see to be able to settle down in Union, raise his son and, hopefully, provide a good living for his family. What started out as a “leap of faith” in 1975 for him and Lorna sold 31 years later as a successful business, from which they retired on April Fool’s Day 2006!

Although running his hydraulic/fluid power business put a great demand on his time and energy, Don stayed active as long as he could, as a volunteer with the Union Fire Department and Union Ambulance Service. Many late nights have been spent away from home fighting fires, transporting the sick, or troubleshooting hydraulic problems; but Don was always glad to be of help when needed. He even managed to coach farm team baseball and peewee basketball, with Lorna as his assistant, when Justin was learning the sports. Ice cream was usually the reward, whether they won or lost! And in between all this he made sure his lawn and grounds were in pristine condition.

Don served several years on the town Budget Committee until retirement. He replaced that with driving throughout the United States to explore its beauty and to reconnect with his Vietnam Army buddies. There are 11 other couples who live in 10 different states, who have been meeting every two years for a reunion since 1996. Don was proud to host them here in Union in 2002 – and made sure they knew the history of the Maine Wild Blueberry before they left. Volunteering to be on the Vietnam Memorial Committee was another way Don felt he served his town and his country.

Those who knew Don for years knew he could be a “straight shooter” as well as an instigator playing pranks on the unsuspecting. They also knew he would be among the first to lend serious aid to local organizations or individuals in need.

Throughout his travels, Don was always happiest to return home where he said, “We have it all right here.” In a recent conversation, a professional was amazed to learn that Don had lived his whole life in one place. He questioned why Don had never moved. Don’s answer: “Why leave paradise?”

We thank his wife Lorna for this wonderful tribute to her husband and for sharing with us her memories of their life together. It is clear from her tribute that Don was proud of serving his country, thankful for his Union roots and living on the land of his ancestors, and that he took pride in Union and its townspeople. 

Don was referred to by many in the community as the “Mayah of Union.” We, the Town of Union, could not concur more. Don lived a full life here in Union giving not only his time but also many “behind the scenes” contributions.  He will be deeply missed.