MILLERTON — Alexander G. Heller, 78, a 23-year resident of Millerton and a long-time resident of Hopewell Junction, died July 20, 2008, at the Sharon Health Care Center after a long illness.
Born Oct. 26, 1929, in Yonkers, N.Y., Alexander was the son of the late Gaza and Elizabeth (Boytos) Heller.
He was raised and worked on the family fruit farm in Germantown, N.Y., and with his parents and brothers operated Hellers Farmstand; the farm is still in operation. Mr. Heller graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in Albany in 1946 and Sampson College in Buffalo in 1950.
Upon his graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot flying F84s from 1951 to 1955. In 1957 he began a 44-year career as a commercial airline pilot with United Airlines. He retired in 2001.
On June 30, 1957, in Landsford, Pa., he married Agnes Babinetz, who predeceased him in 1988. Survivors include his wife, Judith Barteau Heller of Millerton; two sons, Alexander J. Heller of Germantown and Kenneth Heller and his wife, Sara, and daughter Emma, also of Germantown; two brothers, John Heller and his wife, Ceclia, of Rhinebeck and Frank Heller and his wife, Sharon, of Shenevus, N.Y.; and his nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Valentine Funeral Home in Millerton on Tuesday, July 29, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 30, a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church in Millerton, the Rev. John Durkin officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Linlithgo Cemetery in Linlithgo, N.Y.
Contributions in his memory may be sent to the Millerton Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, Millerton, NY 12546.
