WAYLAND: Leslie F. Hildreth, 91, died peacefully following a series of illnesses on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 in Boston.
He was born on September 16, 1925 in Ryegate, Vermont the son of the late Leslie and Verna Hildreth.
He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara F. Hildreth. He had two sisters Roberta Monroe, Hasel Robtoy and a brother Chester Hildreth who predeceased him. Les is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Les grew up on a farm in South Newbury, VT and graduated high school at the age of 16. He then went to work at National Life Insurance in Montpelier, VT. At age 18, he was drafted into the 75th Infantry Division of the Army. He spent 2 ½ years in the military fighting as a mortarman stationed in Germany and Holland. After the war, he lived in Washington D.C. for a time and then moved to Beacon Hill in Boston. Les started to attend Park Street Church where he met his beloved wife and best friend Barbara in 1955. Barbara and Les got married on January 1, 1960. They were married for 53 years before Barbara passed away in October 2013. They shared a strong Christian faith and loving relationship.
Les was stricken with MS in his 40’s and was wheelchair bound for most of the years after. He found strength through his faith in God when he could have easily given up. It was the amazing support of his devoted wife Barbara and his later caregivers Scott and Peggy Bevis that allowed Les to continue living comfortably in his home.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinitarian Congregational Church, 53 Cochituate Road (Rte. 27), Wayland. Visiting hours have been omitted.
Private family interment will be held at Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden.
In lieu of flowers, Les wanted any memorial gifts in his memory to go to either the Deacon’s Fund at Trinitarian Congregational Church, 53 Cochituate Rd. Wayland, MA 01778 or the Deacon’s Fund at Park Street Congregational Church, 1 Park St. Boston, MA 02108.