Obituary of Douglas A. Hilborn

Douglas A. Hilborn, 77, of Cty. Rte. 100, Addison, NY, passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, NY. Doug was born in Wellsboro, PA on January 29, 1946, the son of the late Hugh R. and Sara Porter Hilborn. He attended Addison Central School from where he was a 1964 graduate. Shortly after graduation from high school, Doug enlisted in the US Navy, serving from 1964 to 1968 which included service in Vietnam during his enlistment. Doug was an aircraft mechanic and served on board the USS Forrestal. After his Navy discharge, he was employed in the foundry of the Ingersoll Rand Co., working there until the closing of the foundry in 1985. Doug then attended Corning Community College where he studied in the truck mechanic program. Doug went on to work as a mechanic for the New York State Dept. of Transportation in the Binghamton shop from where he retired. Doug was a man of many interests. He was a farmer, mechanic and avid hunter. Besides local hunting, his hunting adventures took him to Montana for high country elk hunting as well as to Perry, Florida to hunt wild boar. He developed a keen interest in aviation during his time in the Navy which led him to become a private pilot who owned his own private aircraft for over 20 years. He constructed his own runway on his property which allowed him to fly from home at his leisure. He was capable of operating most any machinery, including a D8 Cat dozer or teams of horses or mules. He traveled to Alaska, the outer banks of North Carolina, Yellowstone Park and the Grand Canyon, where he made the 25 mile hike from the north rim to the south rim. Doug was a lifelong student, always learning new skills and acquiring knowledge which he was always very willing to share with others. He was always there to assist friends and neighbors if they had anything in need of repair. Doug also enjoyed monthly luncheons with his high school classmates as well as Wednesday night square dancing in Wellsboro. Doug is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Hilborn (Mark Johnson) of Addison, his granddaughter, Jessen Johnson of Addison, his brother, David Hilborn of Arlington, TN, several nieces and nephews, his cousin, Gerry Merryman of Grafton, Ohio and a favorite hunting buddy, Brett Peters. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Sara Hilborn, his brother, Lewis Hilborn and his sister, Barb Peters. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull.