1928
Hartley
2013
Hartley E. Hillsen
November 16, 1928 — February 17, 2013
WORCESTER/HOLDEN – Hartley E. Hillsen, 84, of 17 Sherbrook Avenue, formerly of Holden, died peacefully with his family by his side at the home of his daughter on Sunday, February 17, 2013. He was born in Worcester, the son of Eric W. and Astrid (Aronson) Hillsen and lived in this area all his life.
Mr. Hillsen was a 1947 graduate of North High School and attended the Graduate School of Banking at Brown University. He was a vice president of the Bank of New England at the time of his retirement in 1990. He started his career in the banking industry 43 years earlier as a messenger at the former Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank. He was a former president of the American Institute of Banking and chairman of the Worcester County Savings Bank Forum. He taught Money and Banking and Savings Banking for the American Institute of Banking at Clark University for several years. Mr. Hillsen was best known as the manager of the first bank to open in the Town of Holden and as the originator of the “Now Account”, which after a court battle, rejuvenated the savings bank industry and forced all banks to pay interest on checking accounts. Having installed the first online computer system to be used in a Worcester bank in 1965, and the first closed circuit video system in 1967, he continued to be fascinated by anything electronic. Active in Boy Scouting, he was past chairman of troops in Holden and Princeton. He also enjoyed fly fishing, his electronic keyboard and photography.
Mr. Hillsen was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn A. (Petterson) Hillsen. He leaves his daughter, Sandra C. Nordstrom and her husband William of Millbury; his son, Eric A. Hillsen of Worcester; a sister, Ann Louise Smith and her husband Richard of Arlington; four grandchildren, Stephanie D. Ljunggren and her husband James of Auburn, Jamie R. Panczyk of Millbury, Dawn Boyce and her husband Seth of CA, Ethan Mary and his wife Alli of CO; two great-grandsons, Jesse and David; nieces and nephews; and extended family. Two sons, David Alan Hillsen and Ronald E. Hillsen predeceased him.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at VNA Care Network and Hospice in Worcester for their kind and compassionate care of Mr. Hillsen.
At Mr. Hillsen’s request, a private graveside service will be held after cremation at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the VNA Care Network and Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608. Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please sign the guestbook at the bottom of this page.
Mr. Hillsen was a 1947 graduate of North High School and attended the Graduate School of Banking at Brown University. He was a vice president of the Bank of New England at the time of his retirement in 1990. He started his career in the banking industry 43 years earlier as a messenger at the former Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank. He was a former president of the American Institute of Banking and chairman of the Worcester County Savings Bank Forum. He taught Money and Banking and Savings Banking for the American Institute of Banking at Clark University for several years. Mr. Hillsen was best known as the manager of the first bank to open in the Town of Holden and as the originator of the “Now Account”, which after a court battle, rejuvenated the savings bank industry and forced all banks to pay interest on checking accounts. Having installed the first online computer system to be used in a Worcester bank in 1965, and the first closed circuit video system in 1967, he continued to be fascinated by anything electronic. Active in Boy Scouting, he was past chairman of troops in Holden and Princeton. He also enjoyed fly fishing, his electronic keyboard and photography.
Mr. Hillsen was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn A. (Petterson) Hillsen. He leaves his daughter, Sandra C. Nordstrom and her husband William of Millbury; his son, Eric A. Hillsen of Worcester; a sister, Ann Louise Smith and her husband Richard of Arlington; four grandchildren, Stephanie D. Ljunggren and her husband James of Auburn, Jamie R. Panczyk of Millbury, Dawn Boyce and her husband Seth of CA, Ethan Mary and his wife Alli of CO; two great-grandsons, Jesse and David; nieces and nephews; and extended family. Two sons, David Alan Hillsen and Ronald E. Hillsen predeceased him.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at VNA Care Network and Hospice in Worcester for their kind and compassionate care of Mr. Hillsen.
At Mr. Hillsen’s request, a private graveside service will be held after cremation at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the VNA Care Network and Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608. Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please sign the guestbook at the bottom of this page.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hartley E. Hillsen, please visit our flower store.
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