Donald M. Hitchcock

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.