(Home News Tribune)
LEONARD F. HILL
AGE: 90 HIGHLAND PARK
Leonard F. Hill, age 90, died on Friday, July 31, 2009 at the McCarrick Care Center in Somerset, NJ. He was a resident of Parker at Stonegate in Highland Park, NJ. Born in New Brunswick to Leonard C. and Mary A. Hill; he was a life long resident. Mr. Hill had a tremendous impact on the community and every one who came to know him.
He is survived by his children, Joyce A. Wharton (Richard) and Richard L. Hill; three grandchildren, Amy E. Hill, Amanda H. Talley (Louis), Richard L. Hill, Jr. (Bianca) and two great grandsons, Nicholas and Samuel Talley.
On May 30, 1942 he married the woman who could always put a smile on his face, Emma "Mickey" Kathryn Yaros, who preceded him in death on February 11, 2002. They maintained homes in New Jersey and Bradenton, FL. Mr. Hill attended Sacred Heart Grade School and St. Peter's High School with his lifelong friend, Father Richard Ewing, who preceded him in death in April 2009. Mr. Hill attended the American Institute of Banking, Rutgers University and New York University Graduate School of Business. In true Horatio Alger fashion, he began his banking career as a mailroom messenger at the National Bank of New Jersey, rising through the ranks and becoming Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1972. His professional successes and contributions extended outside the bank, where he served as Trustee, Director and President of Middlesex General Hospital, Director of the New Brunswick Development Corporation where he was influential in furthering the rebirth of the city and Charter Trustee of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, serving as Trustee Emeritus at the time of his death. He was a confidant and advisor to a number of Johnson & Johnson executives.
Mr. Hill received numerous accolades and awards throughout his life, including: The United Fund Outstanding Achievement Award, Middlesex County College Paige D. L'Hommedieu Outstanding Citizenship Award and the Monsignor James A. Harding Medal for Outstanding Leadership in Banking. He was most recently honored with the 2007 Theodore Cardinal McCarrick Distinguished Partner in Catholic Education Award, demonstrating his commitment and generosity to Catholic education and families in need. He was an avid golfer, playing many rounds with his wife and Father Ewing. He was a member of the Bradenton, FL and Metuchen, NJ Golf & Country Clubs and active in numerous community organizations. He touched the lives of many and made their world a better place. He will be remembered and missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2009, 10:00 a.m., in the Chapel at Parker at Stonegate located at 443 River Rd in Highland Park, NJ. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Services are under the direction of Gleason Funeral Home, Somerset, NJ.