Milton R. (Mitty) Hitchcock passed away in Redwood City. He was born on Sept. 28, 1925, in Salinas, CA, to Milton and Louise Hitchcock, a pioneer Salinas Valley family, 3rd generation. He lived in Hollister since 1992. He graduated from Salinas High School in 1944 and served his country in the Merchant Marines before attending UC Davis. He graduated in 1950 from UC Davis and worked for his father at Hitchcock Packing. During Mitty’s produce career, he worked at Salinas Marketing Co-op, NH3 Fertilizer, partner in Let-Us-Pak, co-owner of C&H Packing, and custom grower for various produce companies. He was in the produce industry for 40 years. Mitty retired in 1993 and was an avid bird hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Elks, NRA, SIRS, Salinas Golf and Country Club, Bolado Park Golf Course, Ducks Unlimited and a charter member of Salinas Gun Club.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, JoAnne Kelly Hitchcock who died in 1992. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Nadine Sparling Hitchcock of Hollister, his sons and their spouses, Michael (Claudette) Hitchcock of Salinas, Charlie Hitchcock (Tammy Lockwood) of Lockwood, John (Paula) Hitchcock of Seattle and granddaughter, Kelly Hitchcock of Seattle, brothers and sisters in law, Tom and Gerry Hitchcock of Salinas, and Budd and Leah Hitchcock of Salinas. He is also survived by Nadine’s family, Ed and Pattie Sparling of Hollister, Nada and Dennis Poletti of Hollister, Everett and Liz Sparling of Hollister, Zane Poletti and Tyler Poletti of Hollister, in-laws, Barney and Punkie Tranberg of Hollister and Stan and Meredith Schmidt of Los Altos.
He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be two services. A celebration of life on Friday, Nov. 17th at 12:00 noon at Salinas Elks Lodge, 614 Airport Blvd. Salinas.
Then on Sunday, Nov. 19th a celebration will be at 11:00 am at the Hollister Elks Lodge, located at the Hollister Airport off of Hwy 156.
Donations are preferred to Hospice of the Central Coast, Special Olympics or a favorite charity.
