February 26, 2015

There are very few people I can honestly say that I remember from my childhood, but Father Dave was Definitely one.  He was a priest at St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen, NJ, in the 1970’s, and I was in the elementary grades at St. Francis School, and his black beard, tawny complexion, soft-spoken voice and gentle mannerisms Always reminded me of Jesus himself.  When Father Dave would sometimes treat us, and come by our classroom during Religion class, my heart would soar with happiness because I felt like Jesus himself was visiting and we were going to receive an uplifting story that would make my love for God even stronger, if that was at all possible.  Father Dave, you will live fondly in my heart, Forever, and I just wanted you to know that you touched my life (heart and soul) So Deeply and I will NEVER forget you.  You are missed.  Thank you for your presence in my life, even if it was just a brief moment in time, you made a young girl a better woman. 
Sincerely,
Susanne

April 22, 2014

Dear cousin David, we were shocked to here that our Father Dave hsd passed on.  Our deepest sympaties to cousin Patricia and her family. Father Dave,you have touched our life with your kindess,understanding and your passion to Our Lord. We miss you. 
Love always .Your cousins Luciana,Patrizia, and Jim Porter – MORGAN HILL CALIFORNIA Formaly from New Jersey 

March 23, 2014

My condolences to his immediate family. Having returned today to Our Lady of the Visitation Chuch for Mass, I was shocked to find out  that Father Dave had passed on. Having been a member of his congregation for some six years, Father Dave was an inspiration to me and he helped me immensely with my spiritual life. His reverence for Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist was plain for all to see and I will miss his  homilies. God bless you Father Dave, may you find everlasting peace.

March 23, 2014

I just received my Catholic Witness and turned the page to see Father Dave’s picture.  He was the preist who saw me through RCIA, and helped form my solid foundation with the Lord and the Catholic Church.  I loved knowing he was here on earth with us.  My blessings and the Lord’s comfort are sent out to his family and all the parisioners at OLV.  He is in Heaven or at least on his way there.  He always teased that he would have to stop in Purgatory for awhile.  Just last night I was telling our table at dinner how he said he was a sales person for “Fire Escape Insurance”.  I will always remember him as will every person he touched, which is a “hell of a lot”.  God Bless you Father and peaceful sailing.
Bertha and Steve Mathis, Emmetsburg Iowa

March 18, 2014

My condolences to Patty. Dave was such a wonderful person and I remember him being so kind to us when we were growing up. I am so sorry for your loss. 
Debbie Hathaway

March 15, 2014

Condolences from the Kelly family in Edison, N.J. Our father, James E. Kelly, was the Guidance Director at Metuchen High School during the time that Father Dave was there. Father Dave was kind enough to participate in our father’s Funeral Mass in 1973, and just a few years later, also at our mother’s Funeral Mass in 1977. I recall Father Dave’s stories about his Metuchen High School days, and his memory of my father, whom he said was instrumental in his decision-making process to become a Priest. He was truly an inspirational person, and one who was there for us in our time of need. He was supportive and prayed with us during those difficult times, and we will never forget his kindness. We offer prayers for the Hillier family at the passing of Father Dave. We know he is in the very best of places with God in heaven.
 
James E. Kelly, III and Family 
Brian J. Kelly and Family

March 12, 2014

Father Dave was a great priest and a great friend. I met Father Dave while he was a priest at St Francis. His sermons were always inspirational. He married my wife and I while he was in Freehold. We always enjoyed having him over for dinner and our annual Super Bowl gathering. Always a great sense of humor, I remember whenever calling him and hoping to get his answering machine to hear what funny recording he had this time. We hadn’t seen Father Dave since he moved to PA. Every year we would get a Christmas card and we would say, this summer we will go out and see him. For that I am sad but I know he is happy in Heaven. And to Father Hemmerling, you were a big influence to many of us at St Francis. Father Dave told me you were the person who influenced him the most into joining the priesthood.
Tom O’Malley

March 11, 2014

I am shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Father Dave.  I grow up with him in Metuchen, Nj in the 60’s.  He was a close friend to my brother Bill and later became a very good friend of mine when I was active on youth ministry at St. Francis CYO in Metuchen.  He is one of the finest men I have ever known.  
God speed Dave.  I am a better person for knowing you and your family.
Randall Smith, Holyoke, MA

March 11, 2014

We appreciated Father Hillier’s mission at SJN.  Especially Bible study and his really outgoing way.
Sincerely,
Rose & Edward Pezenosky

March 11, 2014

Father Dave performed the wedding of my wife, Carrie, and I in Lancaster, Pa., and he handled our pre-Cana. What a wonderful person, and what a wonderful priest. I was a little nervous before the ceremony, and we were seated in a small room. Father got up, looked out at the crowd, looked at me and said, “Let’s do this thing.” I remember feeling at ease then; that was a great talent he had, among many.
I am truly sad today to learn of his passing. You hear it often, but it’s so true in Father Dave’s case: His death leaves the world a little less bright.
Thanks for being a wonderful source of light, Father Dave.

March 11, 2014

To Fr. Dave’s family, friends and parishioners, I offer my sincere sympathy and my prayerful remembrance on this sad occasion.  Dave and i were classmates at St. Meinrad School of Theology.  He was bright, enthusiastic, cheerful and a very fine priest.  I will offer Mass for him praying that he knows the peace of Christ’s promise of eternal life.
Father Noah J. Casey, Rector, SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Indianapolis, IN

March 10, 2014

I was so sorry to hear of Fr. Dave’s death.  I met him in High School, was active in the theater program there with him, and was one of the few folks in school who did not think that he was crazy for pursuing ordination. We stayed in touch over the years.  Dave was the sort of friend whom you may not see for years, and you pick up the conversation as though no time had passed.  I am so sorry that it has been so many hears since we had a chance to meet.
May light perpetual shine upon him.  May his soul, and the souls of the all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.George McCauslan

March 10, 2014

What a loss to the world! I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Father Dave when I attended St Francis School and church in Metuchen. He provided our religious instruction bfor our Confirmation. I can still remember this like it was yesterday. We stood up as he entered the room and (starting in a low note and going high) said, “Good morning, Father Daaaaaaaaaaaaave! Without fail, he would respond in kind with, ” Good morning, CLaaaaaaass”. 
Of course there was the now infamous Easter service homily where he didn’t say a word. He just shaved his beard. The nuns almost passed out. He didn’t explain this until next Sunday. He said that when it was discovered that Jesus’ tomb was empty, people vwent out and spread the word. Exactly what we all did and talked about Father Dave all week! He was a real class act and will be greatly missed.   Suzanne McGuinness-Dunham.

March 10, 2014

Dave, enjoy your new life with the Father.  I will always remember the good times we all had at the “Hill”, working in the UnStable, the music and the plays and the camaraderie we all shared while at St. Meinrad.  Peach my friend.
Richard Putz

March 10, 2014

I was so sorry to hear of Fr. Dave’s death last week. I worked with him for the past several years doing Confirmation Retreats at OLV in Shippensburg and at Shippensburg University. He would stick around for most of the day when I would do these retreats, even though he had heard them before. He was a gentle man and he had a great sense of humor. I loved going to confession to him becuase he was so understanding and had great advice when I needed it. I will very much miss seeing him, I offer my prayers and sympathies to his family and other friends who also grieve his death. Rest in peace, Fr. Dave and rejoice with the angels!

March 10, 2014

There are so many things I want to say or wish I had said. You were my friend , my confidant. You made me laugh when I needed to and be serious when I had to be. As life the years an miles seperated us I always believed there would be a dy for us to get together again and  now there’s not.
I will miss you my friend and always my Best Man – Fred Simkin

March 10, 2014

Father Dave made this world a better place by his actions of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  He had a radiant personality, displayed a unique wit and will surely be missed by everyone he touched.  Keep the faith ! 
Mark & Mary Freyermuth

March 10, 2014

Fr. Dave served at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Freehold, NJ when I was in Elementary school in the early 1980’s and he was well liked by the parishoners of our church, as well as the students at St. Rose of Lima grammar school. He was very involved with the Youth Group and in many other areas of ministry. I ran into him several times over the years after he had moved on to other parishes, and he was always upbeat and excited about the faith and serving others. He was a great guy and a fine priest. I was shocked to hear of his passing, but will remember him well, as he was a significant person in my years at St. Rose during the time he served there. I will keep him and all of his family and close friends in my prayers.  – Darin J. Byrne, Winchester VA, fomerly of Freehold, NJ.

March 10, 2014

March 10, 2014    I met David Hillier when I was newly ordained and the Associate Pastor of St. Francis Parish, Metuchen, NJ. I will never forget the meeting. Teenager David told me he was thinking about the priesthood and needed some direction. I put him in touch with the Vocation Director and eight years later he was ordained. I preached at his First Mass. I still have my homily notes. Dave was gifted in so many ways. He had a great personality, a wonderful sense of humor, creative preacher, understanding heart, a devoted friend. I haven’t been in touch with him for several years since my moving to Florida but I will always consider him one of the bright lights of my 48 years of ministry. He loved the Lord deeply, Fr. Dave will enjoy Heaven.
Fr. Henry Hemmerling, Spring Hill, Florida, retired priest of the Diocese of Metuchen, NJ.    

March 10, 2014

The best priest I have ever had. I swear I felt like he was talking directly to me, many many times. The world is less one great man.  I know he is resting in peace. Selfishly, I’m sad at my loss of a great spiritual leader and inspiration.  God gave him a great gift and he used it well. I hope someone gathers his sermons together and saves them for others to be as inspired as I was. My gods perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.

March 10, 2014

THERESA AND NORRIS LIVELY GIVE OUR CONDOLENCE

March 09, 2014

We are so sorry to hear of Father Dave’s passing.  We have family in Shippenburg and we visit each summer.  We enjoyed attending Mass with Father Dave Hillier.  He was always so happy to spread the good news of the Lord.  My family will always remember his wonderful sense of humor and his devotion to our Lord.  God bless the Our Lady of Visitation community and his loving family.  He will forever live in our memories and our hearts.  -The Nehf family, St. Leonard, MD

March 09, 2014

I met Father Dave on the 2004 Lowen and Navarro cruise. We were the “siblings” table on that cruise. Brothers and sisters and/or close friends from childhood/college. We shared the love of the music we’d all come to hear and the love of people we’d known most of our lives. It was and always will be a special memory.
Sylvia Payne (and my brother, Steve Payne, and his late wife, Alice) and my childhood friend, Lea Ann Alexander)

March 09, 2014

Dave will missed by so many. He was and still is a very precious friend to Ron and myself (Elaine) Our hearts go out to Pat and family. He has not gone from us he has only gone ahead of us to prepare a place in heaven so we can join him again there. He inspired us beyond our dreams. He will be in our hearts and minds until we meet again in heaven  Rest in peace my dear friend . Your love and friendship will live on in all our memories. Prayers go out for family and Church family  Rest in peace my friend.

March 09, 2014

 
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Father David Hilliar. Our prayers are sent for his family and we will remember Father Dave in our prayers, as well.  He was special to us in that he went out of his way to get up early in the morning to officiate the renewal of our wedding vows while we were in a hot air balloon getting ready for takeoff at 6:00AM.  (He thanked us for not making him go up in the balloon, too.)  He will be missed and always in our good memories.  Rick and Toni Murphy
 
 
 

March 09, 2014

I have many fine memories of Father Dave. He lead the way for my husband Ed to pass from death into life at the end of 2012. I’ll miss his awesome homolies, his warmth of spirit, his gnereopsity, and his ability to bring different groups of people into a moment. He was a very accpting person, but still called us all forward. it was a priviledge to be in his parish these past years.
Mary Hickman, Shippensburg 

March 09, 2014

We are all going to miss Father Dave so much! What a blessing it was to have called him our teacher and friend in God, he truly was an outstanding individual. With our most heartfelt condolences to the family, Rosemarie Kordzikowski and daughters Adrienne, Brystal and Yvette Paey

March 09, 2014

With deep sleep we learned of Fr. Dave’s passing. I will remember him and you his family in prayer during this sad time. May He REST in the peace of Christ his Savior.  A friend once said ” Working for the Lord, the hours are long, the pay is terrible but the retirement benefits are out of this world.” Enjoy your retirement Fr. Dave.  With love, Pam Devalue, Ascension Church, Bradley Beach. NJ.

March 09, 2014

I met Father Dave through his love of music, particularly that of Lowen & Navarro.  He was a rare soul with a double gift of humor and spirituality, and I am forever grateful that our lives crossed paths. I’m sure that by this time he has met up with Eric Lowen in Heaven and they are singing with the angels.
With deepest sympathy to his family and all those whose lives he touched,
Annie Jenkins (of the Lowen & Navarro family)

March 09, 2014

Fr Dave was a blessing to so many of us. When there seemed to be nowhere else to turn at times, you could always turn to him. Times like this we want to grieve, but he wouldnt have wanted it. Even when he wasnt feeling well with a cold, I remember him telling me after I said I’d keep him in my prayers “Put your prayers toward those that are REALLY sick, not me with this cold.” So selfless and giving, he will be missed as a priest, but will truly be missed as a friend.

March 09, 2014

My prayers and heart are with Fr. Dave, his friends, parish and family. I will always cherish his wisdom, patients, humor, friendship and the many blessings God gave all of us Ship students through Fr. Dave’s life. Fr. Dave taught us all to enjoy each day to the fullest, keep on striving for heaven and to always put God first. God bless always. Anjelina C

March 09, 2014

I only met Father Hillier once, when he officiated my grandmother’s funeral, but he made a big impression. What a kind man, with a wonderful sense of humor! I am so sorry to hear of his passing!  -Nikkie Opilo, Carlisle,PA

March 09, 2014

Father Dave was a wonderful person and truly an inspiration to us all.  I will miss his homilies and humor.  I am deeply saddened by his untimely passing and pray that his family and friends take comfort in knowing that he was loved by so many.   May the Lord give you peace.  The Cooper Family. 

March 08, 2014

I was blessed to have him as my pastor twice, and he brought joy to every event I was blessed to work at with him.  Thank you for sharing him with me and my family.  His faith and humor made a difference to us all.  May his life be celebrated as he lived- joyfully, with a smile, and know he will never be forgotten. The Walenczyk Family

March 08, 2014

FATHER DAVE WAS THE BEST!!!!!!!
WE WILL MISS HIS SMILE, BIG HEART AND HIS LOVE FOR EVERYONE!!
FATHER DAVE, YOU WILL FOREVER LIVE IN OUR HEARTS.
JOE, LIZ, & JOEY DUNKES

March 08, 2014

Father Dave was my priest and my dear friend. He changed my life recently…helping me through a difficult time. I will never forget his big smile, and even bigger voice.  My heart is heavy. I miss him already. Rest in Peace my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and our broken hearted parish. <3
with love,
Teresa Reaves

March 08, 2014

we will miss your smile and your fantastic witt! you have change my life and my families lives. you will be missed everyday and also remembered in our prayers.   ( the Burns Family)

March 08, 2014

Fr. Hillier was a great Pastor and Priest. He will be sorely missed by his parishoners. Fr. Hillier has gone home to the Lord in Heaven.
With deepest sympathy to his family,
Mike Bannon, Shippensburg, PA

March 08, 2014

Dear Cousin David & family:  We are so sorry to hear of your unexpected passing.  Please know you are in our prayers and thoughts.  We will always remember fondly the memories of family gatherings when we were all children, attending kindergarten together (you, Mark, MaryEllen, & me), the 4 cousins graduating from high school together at Metuchen High School Class of 1968, and your officiating at our weddings and my husbands’ funeral Mass. To us you will always be ‘Pope David 1,’ a truely great Catholic priest, cousin, and friend.  May God be with Pat & her family in this time of loss.  With much love and admiration, Cousin Beth Scannell-Desch 

March 08, 2014

Our deepest sympathies are with Father Dave’s family.  He touched so many lives and was loved by so many.  We will miss him at OLV and will always hold him close to our heart.  — The Kirby Family
 

March 08, 2014

Dear Cousin David, You will be sorely missed by family & friends.  Our hearts go out to Patricia & her family.  You have touched the lives of so many people with your kindness, understanding, dedication to Our Lord, and passion for your priestly vocation.  You have inspired so many of us over the years.  We will always remember you officiating at our wedding at Boston College in 1982.  You will always hold a special place in our memories and our hearts.  Besides being with God, you are rejoining your wonderful parents, Margaret & Andy in heaven.  They are immensely proud of you and your dedication to God through the Catholic Church. 
Love always, Cousins:  Mary Ellen, Len, Christopher, & Meaghan Doherty