Dover-Foxcroft – Arthur Leroy Hitchcock Jr., 82, husband of Jean (Pillsbury) Hitchcock, passed away Sept. 3, surrounded by his family, after a recent illness at EMMC in Bangor.

He was born Nov. 8, 1923, in Gray, the son of Arthur L. Hitchcock Sr., and Alice M. (Brown) Hitchcock. He graduated from Gray Pennel Institute in 1942, working for the South Portland Shipyard shortly after graduation.

Art served in World War II in the Pacific Theatre during 1944 to 1946, with the U.S. Navy. He served as Mineman 2nd Class on the USS Aaron Ward (DD34) Division 9 during 1944 to 1945. Later he served on the USS Shea (DD30) Division 8. He ended his service in March 1946, returning home to Maine. He later entered the Army Reserves for several years.

He moved to Rangeley and began a career he loved. He was employed in 1948 by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, retiring 1972, to his home in Dover-Foxcroft. On April 3, 1949, he married Jean Pillsbury of Rangeley. He had a love for and pride in family, and raising three daughters.

He had many interests over the years, from snowshoeing, to walking through the woods and over mountains, to gardening and yard work at home. He befriended many with his talent for storytelling about the outdoors and his work.

After his retirement, he worked for the Piscataquis Golf Course as greens-keeper (1971), the Dover-Foxcroft Sheriff’s Department as a court officer and serving small claims for about 20 years. He worked for Wakefield Brothers doing carpentry.

Though a homebody in more recent years, he still had a love for the outdoors, overseeing and organizing many a home project. His favorite view was watching the green grass and the trees out his back porch windows, with natures bounty showing up from time to time to say “hello.”

Family and friends could count on his love of long visits, and he especially enjoyed family reunions. Not to be outdone by others more spry than he, he traveled with his wife to San Diego, Calif., and Pittsburgh, Pa., for military reunions over the years.

He was a member of three lodges: Scottish Rite/Consistory Valley of Portland, Lodge Council Chapter/Valley of Portland and Anah Temple of Bangor. He was a member of the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational United Church of Christ for many years.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Jean of Dover-Foxcroft; their three daughters and families, Barbie H. and her husband, John P. Merrill, of Dover-Foxcroft, Cindy M. and her husband, Larry D. Ronco, of Dover-Foxcroft and Katie J. and her husband, John “TJ” Tijerina, of Corpus Christi, Texas; a brother, Leon W. Hitchcock and a sister, Olive (Hitchcock) Lewis, both of Gray; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father; mother; granddaughter, Tobi Alicia Tijerina; sister, Ruth (Hitchcock) Emerson and husband, Crawford Emerson; brothers-in-law, Ardean Pillsbury, Sayward Pillsbury and wife, Mildred (Wright) Pillsbury and Franklin Lewis; sister-in-law, Elaine (Pillsbury) Brownlee and husband, Robert Brownlee.