Hal Hillman’s Passing

Greetings, gentlebears,

Hal Hillman’s passing is an immense loss to the Rhode Island glbt community and the international bear brotherhood. Hal’s inspiring presence, love of bears, abiding sense of community service, and easygoing friendship is one reason I moved here to Providence. Hal reveled in his bearness and in bear life, and through his travels his life touched many others’. He will be missed dearly by all.

According to the funeral home, Hal’s memorial services commence at 3:00pm, Monday January 12, at Sugarman Memorial Chapel, 458 Hope Street, Providence RI, (401) 331-8094. His burial and shiva (family service) will be held privately. Donations may be made in his name to any charity of one’s own choice.

If folks from other clubs in the region are interested in helping organize a memorial here in Providence at a time convenient for his out-of-state friends, please contact me.

allbest, with bearhugs,
Ron

—– Forwarded Message
From: “Michael Maggard” <maggard@mac.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 02:48:02 -0500
To: <ron@ronsuresha.com>
Subject: Sad news regarding Hal Hillman

It is with great sadness I pass on the news that Hal Hillman has passed away.

Hal has been ill quite some time with failed kidneys, waiting for a matching transplant. Unfortunately this week he came down with pneumonia and while in the hospital died suddenly of a heart attack.

Hal was a long time highly visible member of the New England and national bear communities. He had been an officer of the Rhode Island Enforcers, founded the Rhode Island Growlers bear club, model in American Bear, held the title of Mr. New England Bear 2000 <http://www.nebears.org/Mr.NEB-00/index2.html> , then went on to become International Mr. Grizzly 2001.

Hal hosted the Bear Games <http://www.ursatravel.com/bg.html> in Providence RI in 2001, owned the Ursa Travel <http://www.ursatravel.com/> agency, correspondent for Resources for Bears <http://www.resourcesforbears.com/NEWS/ARTICLES/V03A0022/> , and spent many years attending, sometimes being a judge, or just enjoying bear events around the US. He was always recognizable for his sturdy frame, quick wit, great enthusiasm, and marvelous speaking voice.

In the past two years Hal had been much less active, spending his time online or attending one of the fundraisers <http://www.the-px.com/auction/Hal_and_Wayne.htm> held to help him find a new kidney donor. The last time most folks saw Hal was at Gay Day this past September at Six Flags of New England amusement park. That was a great day for him, I can’t tell you how important everyone’s warm reception was to him and it buoyed his spirits for months.

Hal leaves behind many friends, fans, and family.

There will be a memorial service for him on Monday January 12, at Sugarman Memorial Chapel, 458 Hope Street, Providence RI (401) 331-8094.

Harold Samuel Hillman II 1961-2004

—— End of Forwarded Message