Paul Frederick Hilgendorff went off to the toy store in the sky on January 2, 2022, after 73 years of living a life full of family adventures, toy collecting and getting the most out of the time he was given. He was born November 1, 1948, in Mineola, NY. Even as a young boy, he was an entrepreneur at heart, pulling a wagon collecting old newspapers to resell and recycle. His family often vacationed in Round Top, NY, loving it so much that they eventually moved here in 1958. It was a good thing, because the place he loved led to the love of his life. Paul met Susan Whitcomb at Cairo High School where he graduated in 1966. They were eventually married on June 24, 1972. He often said that he strove every day to get Sue to look at him like she did on their wedding day. Paul and Sue have three boys, Justin, Todd, and Tim. You could not find a father prouder of his kids.
Professionally, Paul worked as a surveyor, including helping to construct the Empire State Plaza in Albany. He then started and ran his own excavating business, Hilgendorff Trucking Company, for more than two decades while also working in the family business operating Winter Clove Inn. But he always had a side hustle. He bottled his own maple syrup and honey that he peddled at Winter Clove or out of his truck. He collected and sold LC Smith shotguns in his younger years and turned his attention to buying and selling antique toy trucks later in life. He was known across the country as an expert on Smith-Millers, Buddy L and other diecast and press steel toys.
Paul, or Pepe as the grandkids call him, was truly an expert on family time. He and Sue would load up the kids for cross country adventures, hitting national parks, canoeing America's waterways, and finding the best, fresh seafood. His favorite spots couldn't be more far apart. Alaska and Maine brought him joy, just looking at the seashore and taking in what life was really all about. His other passions included his pet malamutes, eating hot soup at a good diner, bargaining for an even better deal, and telling the best stories, even to those who didn't care to listen.
Paul was a giver, finding enjoyment in sharing what he had with others. He was confident and resourceful, and often a jokester, rarely taking a picture without his tongue out and middle finger up. And he was probably the only one who looked forward to buying a new vehicle from a car salesman. Again, he loved to bargain, and always came out the winner…Just like he did in life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian (Hedler) Hilgendorff. He is survived by his beloved wife Sue; children Justin (Gloria), Todd (Steve Ammerman), and Tim, all of Round Top, NY. Four grandchildren Tristan, Austin, Juliette, and Parker. His brother Richard Hilgendorff, his sister Nancy Hilgendorff (Jim Graf), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Professionally, Paul worked as a surveyor, including helping to construct the Empire State Plaza in Albany. He then started and ran his own excavating business, Hilgendorff Trucking Company, for more than two decades while also working in the family business operating Winter Clove Inn. But he always had a side hustle. He bottled his own maple syrup and honey that he peddled at Winter Clove or out of his truck. He collected and sold LC Smith shotguns in his younger years and turned his attention to buying and selling antique toy trucks later in life. He was known across the country as an expert on Smith-Millers, Buddy L and other diecast and press steel toys.
Paul, or Pepe as the grandkids call him, was truly an expert on family time. He and Sue would load up the kids for cross country adventures, hitting national parks, canoeing America's waterways, and finding the best, fresh seafood. His favorite spots couldn't be more far apart. Alaska and Maine brought him joy, just looking at the seashore and taking in what life was really all about. His other passions included his pet malamutes, eating hot soup at a good diner, bargaining for an even better deal, and telling the best stories, even to those who didn't care to listen.
Paul was a giver, finding enjoyment in sharing what he had with others. He was confident and resourceful, and often a jokester, rarely taking a picture without his tongue out and middle finger up. And he was probably the only one who looked forward to buying a new vehicle from a car salesman. Again, he loved to bargain, and always came out the winner…Just like he did in life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian (Hedler) Hilgendorff. He is survived by his beloved wife Sue; children Justin (Gloria), Todd (Steve Ammerman), and Tim, all of Round Top, NY. Four grandchildren Tristan, Austin, Juliette, and Parker. His brother Richard Hilgendorff, his sister Nancy Hilgendorff (Jim Graf), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Paul Frederick Hilgendorff went off to the toy store in the sky on January 2, 2022, after 73 years of living a life full of family adventures, toy collecting and getting the most out of the time he was given. He was born November 1, 1948, in Mineola, NY. Even as a young boy, he was an entrepreneur at heart, pulling a wagon collecting old newspapers to resell and recycle. His family often vacationed in Round Top, NY, loving it so much that they eventually moved here in 1958. It was a good thing, because the place he loved led to the love of his life. Paul met Susan Whitcomb at Cairo High School where he graduated in 1966. They were eventually married on June 24, 1972. He often said that he strove every day to get Sue to look at him like she did on their wedding day. Paul and Sue have three boys, Justin, Todd, and Tim. You could not find a father prouder of his kids.
Professionally, Paul worked as a surveyor, including helping to construct the Empire State Plaza in Albany. He then started and ran his own excavating business, Hilgendorff Trucking Company, for more than two decades while also working in the family business operating Winter Clove Inn. But he always had a side hustle. He bottled his own maple syrup and honey that he peddled at Winter Clove or out of his truck. He collected and sold LC Smith shotguns in his younger years and turned his attention to buying and selling antique toy trucks later in life. He was known across the country as an expert on Smith-Millers, Buddy L and other diecast and press steel toys.
Paul, or Pepe as the grandkids call him, was truly an expert on family time. He and Sue would load up the kids for cross country adventures, hitting national parks, canoeing America's waterways, and finding the best, fresh seafood. His favorite spots couldn't be more far apart. Alaska and Maine brought him joy, just looking at the seashore and taking in what life was really all about. His other passions included his pet malamutes, eating hot soup at a good diner, bargaining for an even better deal, and telling the best stories, even to those who didn't care to listen.
Paul was a giver, finding enjoyment in sharing what he had with others. He was confident and resourceful, and often a jokester, rarely taking a picture without his tongue out and middle finger up. And he was probably the only one who looked forward to buying a new vehicle from a car salesman. Again, he loved to bargain, and always came out the winner…Just like he did in life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian (Hedler) Hilgendorff. He is survived by his beloved wife Sue; children Justin (Gloria), Todd (Steve Ammerman), and Tim, all of Round Top, NY. Four grandchildren Tristan, Austin, Juliette, and Parker. His brother Richard Hilgendorff, his sister Nancy Hilgendorff (Jim Graf), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Professionally, Paul worked as a surveyor, including helping to construct the Empire State Plaza in Albany. He then started and ran his own excavating business, Hilgendorff Trucking Company, for more than two decades while also working in the family business operating Winter Clove Inn. But he always had a side hustle. He bottled his own maple syrup and honey that he peddled at Winter Clove or out of his truck. He collected and sold LC Smith shotguns in his younger years and turned his attention to buying and selling antique toy trucks later in life. He was known across the country as an expert on Smith-Millers, Buddy L and other diecast and press steel toys.
Paul, or Pepe as the grandkids call him, was truly an expert on family time. He and Sue would load up the kids for cross country adventures, hitting national parks, canoeing America's waterways, and finding the best, fresh seafood. His favorite spots couldn't be more far apart. Alaska and Maine brought him joy, just looking at the seashore and taking in what life was really all about. His other passions included his pet malamutes, eating hot soup at a good diner, bargaining for an even better deal, and telling the best stories, even to those who didn't care to listen.
Paul was a giver, finding enjoyment in sharing what he had with others. He was confident and resourceful, and often a jokester, rarely taking a picture without his tongue out and middle finger up. And he was probably the only one who looked forward to buying a new vehicle from a car salesman. Again, he loved to bargain, and always came out the winner…Just like he did in life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian (Hedler) Hilgendorff. He is survived by his beloved wife Sue; children Justin (Gloria), Todd (Steve Ammerman), and Tim, all of Round Top, NY. Four grandchildren Tristan, Austin, Juliette, and Parker. His brother Richard Hilgendorff, his sister Nancy Hilgendorff (Jim Graf), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
