NORWICH – Ford G. Hitt died on Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, in Norwich’s Chenango Memorial Hospital. He was the last Chenango County Pearl Harbor survivor. His death occurred 66 years to the date and time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
What was important to Ford? Family, God, Country.
Born in Davenport in March of 1920, Ford was the son of George and Maribelle (Shelly) Hitt. He was educated in the Bloomville schools and served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Hawaii, Guadalcanal and the Philippines. During his five years of service to our country, he was the recipient of several medals, including the Bronze Star. Returning home, Ford married Marjorie Burns in St. Paul’s Church on June 29, 1946. He and his family resided in Oneonta where Ford worked as a car mechanic, an egg distributor, and as a salesman at Decker Motor Sales. In 1955, Ford and his family moved to the Burns Family farm in the Norwich area. Here they raised and enjoyed their 13 children. In 1972 they moved to their current home on Sheldon Street. When Ford and son Jim began their own business in 1976, Hitt’s Hay and Straw, Ford kept as many as six trucks on the road in sound mechanical condition. Ford was known locally as “Doc”’ for his ability to diagnose a vehicle’s problems by listening to its engine. No truck left the garage without his personal OK. Though he officially retired from the business, he was always involved, sometimes working harder than prior to retirement. In his final years, the concerns of Hitt’s Hay and Straw were always in his heart.
Ford was a family man with a friendly manner and an easy laugh. During the early years of his marriage, he helped Marjorie with the care of the children. As they grew older and it came time to teach them all to drive, he had infinite patience. He was a good cook who enjoyed making Sunday dinners. A died-in-the-wool fan of the Boston Red Sox, Ford was thrilled to see them win their latest World Series. He also enjoyed a good game of cards. Ford was a member of Norwich VFW Christy Rock Post #2782 and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (PHSA).
Ford is survived by his wife, Marjorie Hitt; his children and their spouses: Douglas and Robin Hitt of Norwich, Terry Cunningham of Cazenovia, George and Linda Hitt of Milton, Mass., James Hitt and fiancee Katie of Norwich, Lavina and Danny Travison of Schenectady, Rosemary and Bill Friedrich of Berwyn, Pa.; Jean and Dan Harp of Bridgeport, Kathleen Hitt Nielsen and husband Bob of Waterford, Sally and Ben Lauletta of Wynantskill, Mary Berkeley-Hitt and husband Eddie of East Homer, Donna and Tim Bates of Windsor, and B. John and Joan Hitt of Loudonville. He is also survived by 40 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his daughter-in-law, Donna Hitt of Syracuse, Utah. He was predeceased by his son, Ford Joe Hitt; sisters Mildred Decker, Bertha Truax, Harriett Gesell, Gladys Burdick, and Evelyn Quackenhush; and by his brothers, Earl and Gerald Hitt.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday from St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Spring interment with full military rites will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to St. Paul’s or St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Churches at 30 Pleasant St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (PHSA) and send to Chapter 7, c/o Lewis Compese, 1136 Pleasant St., Utica, NY 13501.