THOMASTON — Steven A. Hiller, 65, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Saturday, April 2, 2022 at Sussman Hospice House in Rockport. Born in Rockland, June 25, 1956 he was the son of Stanley and Jessica Collins Hiller. 

Growing up on Holmes Street in Rockland, Steve had a special place in his heart for the South End. He also spent much time on Matinicus Island where his father served as Lightkeeper, on Matinicus Rock. Steve had a very special place in his heart for the Matinicus Island community. Steve also had the pleasure of spending summers in Franklin Massachusetts with his cousins. 

Educated locally, he was a 1974 graduate of Rockland District High School. During high school Steve met the love of his life, Delores “Dodie” Winslow while involved in the Lavender Lancers/Golden Lancers color guard. Together since 1972, Steve and Dodie were married in August of 1977.  

Steve began his long and accomplished career in the grocery industry shortly after graduation. Beginning with Sampson’s, moving to Shop N’ Save, IGA and later Maritime Energy/Maritime Farms Stores. Steve was always
a smiling face and helpful hand to all the stores he managed or supervised. In 1995 Steve and Dodie purchased Curtis Market in the South End of Rockland and thus began the South End Grocery. Known as one of the friendliest markets around, Steve and his crew at South End were the embodiment of community service. With countless donations, hours organizing fundraisers, assisting with auctions and hundreds of other deeds that went unnoticed or recognized, Steve poured his heart and soul into helping others.

When he wasn’t busy working, Steve could be found coaching one sport or another. He followed his children’s sports careers from the pee-wee programs up through high school sports, coaching basketball, baseball, softball and football along the way. Most recently Steve took great pride in coaching baseball with his good friend Don Shields at Georges Valley High School and later Oceanside High School. His son Shawn Hiller also joined the coaching staff alongside his father. He was a true sports fanatic, appearing on the local TV program “Sports Nuts” with friends, collecting memorabilia and never missing a chance to cheer on his teams. 

Steve enjoyed riding his numerous Harley Davidson motorcycles with friends. They traveled to the Harley Davidson Factory in York, Pennsylvania. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio and the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

He and Dodie also had a wonderful group of friends they would travel with. They went on a number of cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean.  He also enjoyed fond memories of his yearly trip to the hunting camp with the guys.  

Steve’s number one priority in life was his family. After his diagnosis, when not feeling one hundred percent, his grandchildren gave him the strength and tenacity to keep fighting. Knowing they would always know their “Papa” loved them and they would carry on his memory and legacy brought him great comfort. Steve was happiest when spending time with his grandchildren. It brought out the child in him. He enjoyed racing lawn mowers in the back yard with his grandson Lukas (dressed as dinosaurs), playing with cars and trucks with his grandson Bryce, and watching the Beat Bugs cartoon (a tribute to the Beatles, who were his favorite) with his granddaughter Everly. 

Steve was a selfless, fun-loving person who always put others above himself. From making family Christmas gifts and games, delivering cases of toilet paper to friends and family during the pandemic, decorating his store during Halloween to make people laugh (or jump in fright), he was a genuine, all around good-guy and true friend. His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family, friends and our community.  

Predeceased by his father and step-mother, Master Chief, Stanley A. Hiller, USCG Retired and Elaine Hiller; and his mother, Jessica Hiller; Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Delores Hiller of Thomaston; his children, Stephanie Williams and her husband Donald of Owls Head, Shawn Hiller and his wife Sarah of Cushing; his grandchildren, Lukas, Bryce and Everly; his brother Richard Hiller of Rockland; his nephew and niece, Christopher Hiller, Jessica Hiller; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dane Winslow, Sr. of Camden, Dixie Burnham and her husband Tom of Inverness, Florida, Belinda Landre of Rockland, Donald Curtis and his wife Patty of Rockland, Debbie Curtis of Connecticut, Terry Winslow of Waldoboro; as well as his South End Grocery Crew, and many more friends, too numerous to name. 

Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m,, with an Elks Memorial Service held at 6 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland where a funeral service will be held Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 11 a.m.  For those unable to attend in person, a live-stream of the service will be available at: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/steven-hiller. A reception and celebration of Steve’s life will follow at the Rockland Lodge of Elks, 210 Rankin Street, Rockland. Private interment will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation to any of the following charities that Steve was actively involved in would be greatly appreciated by his family. The Jimmy Fund, Pope Memorial Humane Society, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Muscular Dystrophy and the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. 

To share a memory or condolence with Steve’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.