Stephen Hillner

Stephen D. “Scooter” Hillner, 50, of Merrimac, formerly of Salisbury, and Haverhill, died Tuesday, September, 20, 2011 at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport after a lengthy battle with lung disease.Born in Haverhill, September 30, 1960, he was the son of the late Charles Hillner III, who passed away on September 21, 2011, and Carolyn (Snow) Damour. He attended Haverhill Public Schools and was a Graduate of Whittier Tech, Class of 1978. Upon Graduation, he enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard and proudly served for the next six years, being honorably discharged in 1984.Stephen was a man of many talents he spent many years as a commercial tuna fisherman out of Newburyport, MA. He loved the sea and the camaraderie with his fellow fisherman. He was known for his hilarious fishing tales and sharing them with anyone who would listen. He also owned and operated S.D. Hillner &amp Son’s Contracting Business for several years until his illness forced him into early retirement. Friends and family will always remember him as a man who made great music. He was a gifted pianist and wrote much of his own music. He performed in area dinner venues for many years.He is survived by four children, a son, Stephen J. Hillner, and daughter, Jessica Hoos, both of Berlin, NJ, a daughter, Jennifer Fern, of Newburyport, a son, Cody Hillner, of Groveland, his mother, Carolyn (Snow) and her husband Frank Damour, of Henniker, NH, two brothers, Timothy Hillner, of Atkinson, NH, and Charles Hillner IV, of Haverhill, NH, and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his beloved uncle, Lawrence M. Hillner, of Manchester, NH, who was by his side a great deal during the past two difficult years.Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service for Stephen and his father, Charles Hillner III, to be held on Sunday, September 25, at 1:00 PM in the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125) Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Stephen D. Hillner Memorial Fund, C/O TD Bank, 280 Main St. Groveland, MA 01834.