Hilliard Graves Seaker, 98, passed away on Monday, December 24, 2018 at Gouverneur Hospital with his family at his side.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, December 29th at 11:30 am at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur with Rev. Richard Mayforth, pastor of the Gouverneur First Presbyterian Church officiating and burial with military honors to follow in Hermon Cemetery. Calling hours were held on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Hilliard was born in Gouverneur on October 18, 1920, the son of Raymond Graves and Alta Hill Seaker.
He graduated from Gouverneur High School in 1938 with a Regents diploma. In 1939, he graduated from the Manlius Military School and in 1942, from Colgate University with honors in psychology. He was prominent in track and wrestling, having been team captain in both high school and college.
Hilliard married Emily Janet Green of Hermon on August 29, 1943 at the home of her parents with Edson R. Miles, a member of the theological studies Department of St. Lawrence University, officiating.
He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in August 1942 and was a member of the 398th Bombardment Group (H), B17s, seeing action in the European Theater of Operations.
After being discharged as a staff sergeant in October 1945, he became affiliated with Seaker-Graves Motor Company as a mechanic, salesman, manager, and dealer. In 1971, having purchased the business, it became known as Seaker Chevrolet, Inc. Hilliard retired and sold the business in December 1990.
He was involved with many organizations. Hilliard was a third generation member of the Gouverneur Luncheon Club, a member of the Masonic Lodge, Gouverneur Elks Lodge, past director of the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Bank of Gouverneur, chairman of the advisory board of the St. Lawrence National Bank, and the Community Bank NA. He also belonged to the Gouverneur American Legion, the Gouverneur VFW, and Sigma Nu fraternity.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a member of the Black Lake Fish & Game Assoc., a past director of the Gouverneur Rod & Gun Club, a lifetime member, past officer and director of Spruce Mountain Hunting Club, honorary member of the Cranberry Lake Hunting & Fishing Assoc. The couple enjoyed spending time at their camps on Black Lake and Cook's Pond, and snowmobiling.
Hilliard is survived by his daughter Billie Jean Snyder of Ogdensburg, a son-in-law Kenneth Snyder of Fowler, his son Frank G. Seaker of Gouverneur, 4 grandchildren Erik Hilliard and Julie Snyder, William Christopher and Tonya Snyder, Jane Elizabeth and Brian Fico, Hilary Joette Snyder and her fiance Jeffrey J. Hertel, 6 great grandchildren Matthew Christopher, Jennifer Lynn, Erika Paige, Nicholas Lee, Anthony Joseph, and Nina Isabella, several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his wife Emily who passed away on April 12, 2003, a daughter Jane Elizabeth Seaker who passed away in 1952, and a sister Norinne Dickson.
Memorial donations in Hilliard's memory are suggested to the Gouverneur First Presbyterian Church, Gouverneur Cemetery Association, or Hermon Cemetery.