advertisement

Geneva mourns late alderman, parks commissioner Sam Hill

Editor's note: An article in some Thursday editions should have read visitation for former Geneva alderman Sam Hill is July 29, and his funeral is July 30.

When Sam Hill thought something needed to be better in Geneva, he did something about it.

Like organizing the volunteer renovation of a shabby downtown information kiosk.

Or when he learned at a city council meeting that the cemetery fund budget couldn't afford weeding and beautification, the alderman whipped out his checkbook and made a donation. Then, he led volunteers in pulling weeds and trimming grass around gravestones at the two cemeteries.

And when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he and his wife, Carolyn, helped start a Memory Cafe chapter, where those with the disease and their partners could socialize and discuss issues.

Hill, 86, died Tuesday.

"I had the pleasure of knowing Sam for almost 45 years," Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said Wednesday. "His love for and dedication to all things Geneva was unmistakable. To serve with him on the council and benefit from his advice, friendship and kindness was a true joy."

Hill was a Geneva Park District commissioner for eight years. Former park district Director Stephen Persinger considered Hill instrumental in obtaining state money to start buying the first 131 acres from Peck Farm in the early 1990s and turn it in to a park. At a 2009 ceremony where the Hills received the William Wood Community Service Award, Persinger said Hill was tenacious about the park project.

As the men drove through a sleet storm to a meeting in Springfield, Hill said, "We're going to Springfield and we're getting that money. We're not turning around," Persinger recalled.

A baseball field at the now-385-acre park is named after Hill.

Hill served for a decade on the city's plan commission, then ran for alderman in 2001. He spent the next 12 years representing the city's 1st Ward, which includes much of the downtown and the Geneva Historic District.

He had a fun side, too. In 2013, he and fellow Alderman Dorothy Flanagan won the "Dancing With the Geneva Stars" competition, raising money for the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and the Geneva Academic Foundation. Hill donned a chest-baring shirt for their rumba routine. He also portrayed Herr Drosselmeyer in State Street Studios' productions of "The Nutcracker" ballet.

When Geneva had problems with its curbside leaf collection, Hill played "Mr. Don't" in an educational video. Mr. Don't ignorantly raked leaves into the street, lazed about in a lawn chair and disputed the leaf pickup schedule brandished by his wife.

Hill is survived by his wife, two children and his grandchildren.

Visitation is set for 4 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State St., Geneva. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. July 30 at the Oscar Swan Inn in Geneva.

Geneva park district doles out thanks, surprises to four

Volunteers spruce up Geneva info kiosk

Geneva couple wins service award

Volunteers sought for upkeep of Geneva’s West Side Cemetery

Geneva’s West Side Cemetery gets spruced up

Alderman Hill won’t run in 2013

Vote for your favorite couple in Dancing with the Geneva Stars

State Street Dance celebrates 10th year of ‘Nutcracker’ performances

Memory Cafe in St. Charles to fight dementia-related isolation

Why the Elderday Center for seniors in Batavia had to close

Memory Cafe group supports one another

Sam Hill and Dorothy Flanagan rehearse their rumba number for "Dancing With The Geneva Stars" fundraising competition in 2013. The two were aldermen at the time and won the contest. Daily Herald file photo
Winners of the 2009 Wood Community Service Award, Sam and Carolyn Hill, left, are congratulated by 2001 award recipient Sharon Jones. Daily Herald file photo/November 2009
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.