Richard H. Hulit, 87, died April 7, 2019 at his home in Shell Point in Fort Myers, Fla. He leaves his beloved wife of 63 years, Peg; his son, Richard and his wife Siobhan; his daughter, Betsy Delfosse and her husband Duane; his son, Douglas; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

 

Born and raised in East Orange, N.J., he was the son of Mabel and Edward Hulit.

 

As a young man, Dick was an outstanding baseball player and was signed by Bill Dickey of the New York Yankees. His love of the Yankees and all things baseball continued throughout his life.

 

While a student at Rutgers University, he met his wife future wife, Peg, and they were together from that moment on. The Hulits raised their family in Rye. They retired to Sanibel, Fla.

 

In the mid-1970s, Mr. Hulit purchased Hoffman Engineering, a small lighting laboratory, and grew it to a national company that contracted with the U.S. government and Fortune 100 companies.

 

As a Rye resident, he served in a leadership role for over 20 years with the Rye Fire Department and Rye Baseball League. During the 30 years he lived in Sanibel, he remained a stalwart volunteer, giving his time to the Sanibel Lions, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, HealthPark Medical Center, Sanibel Fire Department, and Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ. He received many volunteer service awards, including recognition from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for his contributions to the new Ding Darling Visitor’s Center and over 3,500 hours of service.

 

For his commitment to family, service, entrepreneurship, and mentoring, Dick Hulit will be remembered as a role model to many.

 

A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held April 26 at 11 a.m. at Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ. Donations in his name may be made to Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ.