| Date of Birth | March 30, 1957 |
| Passed Away | August 15, 2012 |
| Place of Residence | Avoca |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | August 20, 2012 |
| Service Time | 10 A.M. |
| Service Location | Bath V.A. Center Chapel |
| Interment Location | Bath National Cemetery |
DONALD M. HITCHCOCK
AVOCA-Donald M. Hitchcock, 55, died Wednesday morning (Aug. 15, 2012) in his home on Chase St. in Avoca where he resided with his 12 year companion, Karen Tadder.
He was born March 30, 1957 in Byron, Texas. He is predeceased by his father, Merrill Hitchcock of Bristol, CT. Surviving are his mother, Leona Hitchcock of Greensburg, KY; his stepmother, Peggy Hitchcock of Bristol, CT; his son, Donald Hitchcock, Jr. resides in Virginia Beach, VA, he has four children, Kayla, Brianne, Devin and Tyler; his stepdaughter, Katherine resides in Bristol, CT with her husband, Andre Ratchford; his brother, Keith and sister-in-law, Stephanie have three children, William, Freddie and Kaitlyn and live in Greensburg, KY; Keith’s children from a previous marriage are Rhonda and Jerrod, who reside in California; his step-sister, Nicole lives in Plainville, CT with her husband, Dave; his lifelong friends are Steve Smith from Bristol, CT, Charlie and Dee Fox from Columbus, Ohio and Kurk Eckels from Nashville, TN.
Don mentored several students as mechanical technicians; they are, Dan Sly, Kris and Adam Nichols, Marc Falkner and Brian VanGorder.
Don completed his undergrad education in Bristol, CT and served in the U.S. Air Force at Dyess AFB in Texas from 1973-1978. He was an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist and worked on B-52s. After the service he was employed at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft as an inspection engineer.
In 1996, Don recieved a heart transplant in Hartford Hospital. They matched his heart with criteria that was researched in France.
Don enjoyed riding motorcycles, traveling with RV and restoring old vehicles. He was a Mason and was a member of the Franklin Lodge in Connecticut.
Calling hours are from 5:30-8 p.m. Monday at the Avoca Funeral Home, 22 N. Main St., Avoca at which time music will be played by Karen Tadder’s grand-nephew, Xavian Levensee. Calling hours will conclude with a Masonic memorial service at 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Bath V.A. Center Chapel, eulogy will be given by Karen Tadder and Don Lester will officiate at the service. Committal services and interment, with military honors, will follow at Bath National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Avoca Ambulance Corps, 3 Chase St. Avoca, N.Y. 14809.
Don was a good prayers are with his family.
So sorry for your loss. Pastor Curtis always enjoyed his talks with Don. I surely enjoyed the times I was able to talk with him. I remember him each time I read through Psalm 73, particularly: 26 My flesh and my heart fail;But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.
I MET DON HITCHCOCK IN 1973 AT GOODWIN TECH IN NEW BRITAIN. HE HAS BEEN A “GREAT” IF NOT “BEST” FRIEND TO ME SINCE THEN. I’M FROM BRISTOL, NOW LIVING IN CALIF. AND I AM SO DEEPLY SADDENED BY HIS PASSING. I’VE ALWAYS CONSIDERED HIS DAD, MOM, AND BROTHER KEITH AS MY FAMILY. ALWAYS THERE IN MY TIME OF NEED. SO GRATEFUL FOR DON & FAMILY THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE LOVE IN MY HEART FOR THEM. RIDE EASY, MY BROTHER, I WILL MISS YOU BADLY. FRIENDS FOREVER, RICK
So many memories as a child involve my uncle Don. From playing in the camper to watching The Muppets, and back to school shopping when my mother and father couldn’t take me. There was even a time where he just showed up at my mother’s door all the way in California just to visit for a day. I wish I could have been there more. Distance being a key factor made it difficult. I will always remember you and the amazing person you were. My heart goes out to all that were close to him. Let’s all remember him for the positive great person he was. I love you uncle Don always and forever.