Mr. James J. Hill

May 17, 1925 - January 20, 2022

Lowell – James J Hill, age 96, a longtime resident of Lowell, passed away at D’Youville Life and Wellness Community, on January 20, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 17, 1925 at Chelmsford, MA and was the son of the late Martha and James A. Hill. James was married 58 years to Ethel E. (Firth) Hill who predeceased him in 2007. Two days after graduating from Chelmsford High School, in 1943, James enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was a Veteran of WWII and the Korean War. During WWII he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater with the 3rd Amphibian Corps and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. As part of his Marine training he graduated as a Heavy Anti-Aircraft Director Technician from the Sperry Gyroscope Company in Brooklyn, N.Y. He received the American Area Medal, Asiatic Metal with one star, WWII Victory Medal and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Metal. He was a Life member of the Lowell Marine Corps League. He was a shining example of honor and patriotism. James was well known as the owner of the O’Conner and Hill Hardware Store on Lawrence Street in Lowell. He owned and operated the store for 51 years along with his son James A. Hill. He was a member of the New England Hardware Dealer Association, National Hardware Dealer Association, and he was affiliated with Standard Hardware Inc., Merrimack, NH, Cotter Co. True Value, Chicago, Ill. He was a talented tradesman who built his own home in Lowell and a summer camp on Little Island Pond in Pelham, NH, where he enjoyed many years of boating, skiing, swimming, and spending quality time with his family. He was a man of faith and a member of the former Fellowship Methodist Church in Lowell. James was an avid golfer and bowler. He sponsored bowling teams participating in the City Bowling League and the Lowell Business Men’s League and participated in the couple’s league at the YMCA. He enjoyed gardening and especially windjamming along the coast of Maine with his wife Ethel and friends. And he also enjoyed his occasional scratch ticket and trip to the casino. He is survived by his daughter Linda Elliott and her husband Frank Elliott of Dracut, and his son James Hill and his wife Debra of Dracut. James also leaves behind three grandchildren, Carolyn Carbonneau and Catherine McLean both of Dracut and Allison Hill of Lowell. Also, four great grandchildren Joseph, Madelyn, Layla and Emma who knew him affectionately as “Grandpa Hill”. He is predeceased by his brothers Hugh, William, and Thomas Hill and his sisters Marguerite Connors and Sarah Millicent O’Connor. The family is extremely grateful for the care and compassion demonstrated by the entire staff at D’Youville Life and Wellness Community where James spent the last three years of his life. Their care and compassion never waned even through the extraordinary challenges posed by Covid. FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL ON TUESDAY FROM 9 AM UNTIL 11 AM. JAMES’ FUNERAL SERVICE WILL FOLLOW AT 11 AM IN THE FUNERAL HOME. FACEMASKS ARE REQUIRED IN ALL INDOOR PUBLIC SPACES PER CITY OF LOWELL HEALTH DEPARTMENT. BURIAL WILL FOLLOW IN THE LOWELL CEMETERY. AS AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY, IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, DONATIONS IN JAMES’ MEMORY MAY BE MADE TO D’YOUVILLE SENIOR CARE PATIENT ACTIVITIES FUND, 981 VARNUM AVE, LOWELL, MA 01854.