Fred Hilliard

2022 Marple Friend & Neighbor of The Year

Resident Feature Written by Holly Stupak

Photos by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com

This month we’re pleased to introduce you to someone who may need no introduction: Fred Hilliard. A dad, grandfather and mentor to countless Marple Newtown High School students, Fred’s kindness and generosity have a positive impact on anyone he meets.

Fred lives in Broomall with his wife Linda, and each day he gets up early and walks from his home across the street to Marple Newtown High School (MNHS), where he is a Security Officer. Most days, he walks in with Linda who is the assistant in the nurse’s office. Since he started his job at MNHS 14 years ago he’s been one of the most popular staff at the high school, known for his friendly demeanor, delicious snacks and fatherly advice.

Fred is described as “everyone’s dad” and a mentor to the students who come through the high school. Donna Sperone is a fellow security officer at MNHS and has been Fred’s colleague for four years.

He just knows people and understands them,” she said. “He sees the good in every kid.

MNHS Principal John Beltrante said that Fred Hilliard has become a fixture on MNHS’s Security Team for several years.

One of the positive aspects of being a strong school community is our ability to develop positive relationships with our students. Fred has definitely done this over the years,” said Mr. Beltrante. “He is someone that the students respect and this is apparent in the way they interact.

During morning drop-off, Fred has been known to change a flat tire and even make a run to the nearest gas station to fill a student’s empty tank. It’s these types of kind gestures that lead students to write notes or letters of thanks to him at the end of each school year.

Fred is so approachable. And he makes school so enjoyable for me and so many others,” said MNHS senior Christian Sessa. “Seeing him always brightens my day!

Fred’s daughter Melissa Giello said that is just who Fred is. “When I hear stories about my dad from students, I am not surprised. He’s easy to love!” said Melissa, who lives in Newtown Square with her husband and three children. Students especially look forward to Fred handing out candy and mints on Mondays and popcorn on what he calls Popcorn Wednesdays. And when Fred brings homemade chocolate chip cookies to his ninth-grade granddaughter’s lunch table, he is sure to have enough for all of her friends. “He’s always generous with both his heart and wallet,” added Melissa.

Fred Hilliard at Marple Newtown High School where he works as a Security Officer

Fred grew up in Upper Darby and graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1969. He and Linda were local sweethearts who met through their neighborhood friends. Linda was a student at the nearby Archbishop Prendergast High School and Fred said she caught his fancy at the park where he and his friends played ball. They married on Valentine’s Day in 1976 and have three children: Jeff, Melissa and Freddy.

Growing up, Fred loved playing baseball and softball with his neighborhood buddies, but wasn’t on any organized teams during high school. It wasn’t until working in the construction business during and after high school that Fred’s baseball skills developed and he began to stand out as an athlete.

Working in construction was basically like working out five days a week,” Fred explained. “I just kept getting stronger.

Fred was in his early 20s when his baseball talent caught the attention of Jim Diamond, who was with the Phillies organization and offered Fred a tryout. Fred headed to Veterans Stadium, got into a Phillies uniform and impressed the Phillies staff with his hitting and fielding skills. Although he was told he had what it takes, the Phillies weren’t looking for an outfielder at that time. Instead, he was offered a spot on a farm team in Oklahoma, but the timing wasn’t quite right for him to make a move across the country. Fred and Linda were expecting their first child.

I am very happy with the way my life turned out and I am blessed with three beautiful children,” said Fred. “I can’t imagine it any other way!

With no regrets on passing up the opportunity to play minor league ball, Fred chose a career that allowed him to spend as much time as he could with his family. For more than 30 years, he worked as a salesman and delivery driver for Amoroso’s Baking Company until he retired in 2008. “My kids like to tease me that I gave up on a career with the Phillies to sell bread,” joked Fred. Six days a week, Fred would get up at 3am to get to Amoroso’s in South West Philly to start his route. He was known for his exceptional work ethic, and his sales skills led him to earn a great territory out on the Main Line. And when Amoroso’s filmed a commercial for a new product, it’s no surprise the company chose Fred to star in it. The commercial aired locally and earned Fred lots of attention from friends and family. Outside of work, he continued to play softball for several local leagues.

2022 Marple Friend & Neighbor of the Year Fred Hilliard

Linda and Fred raised their children in the Highland Park section of Upper Darby. All three were active in sports and when Fred got home from his job at Amoroso’s in the early afternoon, he was either watching or coaching one of his kids.

He was always present,” said Fred’s oldest son Jeff. “The best gift he gave me, my sister and my brother was the gift of time.

It wasn’t just Fred’s experience as a ball player and athlete that made Fred an exceptional coach. Jeff said he was the kind of coach who looked out for everyone on the team. “He was always the one who always made sure everyone had a ride home after practice, and he took everyone to Dairy Queen after a game,” he added. Fred was also known to clean up and prep the ballfields after a rainstorm.

Many times during Little League, we’d assume a game was canceled,” Jeff explained. “But little did everyone know that as soon as my dad finished his work shift, he headed over to work on getting the fields cleaned up so we could play.

Fred’s youngest son, Freddy Jr., said not only did his dad see many details in baseball games that others didn’t, but he also taught him a lot of life lessons through athletics.

I wouldn’t be the coach I am today without my dad,” said Freddy, who has been the head baseball coach at Malvern Prep for the past 12 years. “I owe him much of my success as a coach,” Freddy said. “We talk about coaching a lot and he gives me great advice on how to handle many situations. He’s really a teacher at heart.

In 2000, after all three of their children finished high school, Fred and Linda decided to move out of Upper Darby and found a great house on Highland Ave. in Broomall. Fred retired from his job at Amoroso’s in 2008 and shortly after, Linda retired from her job as an administrator in a pediatrician's office. Fred was only retired a few months when the job at MNHS came along. When we asked Fred what the best part of his job is, he said it’s meeting all of the nice people.

I love seeing the students come in as freshmen and see how much they mature over four years,” he said. “I always make a point to compliment their parents, too. After all, they deserve a lot of the credit.

After school hours, Fred can be found at MNHS for most Varsity sports games as well as at music and other school programs and events, even if he’s not working a security detail.

When you think of the high school, you think of Fred,” said MNHS Athletic Director Chris Gicking. “Anytime you attend an event like the Spring musical or a sporting event, he’s typically the first one you see, cheering on the students.

Marple Newtown High School students Christian Sessa and Justin Quinn with Fred Hilliard

Fred loves to support the students he’s gotten to know,” added Donna. “The day after a game or event, you’ll hear Fred in the hallway complimenting a student on a great game or offering advice. He always takes the time to make everyone feel special.

Fred can also be found on the sidelines supporting any one of his eight grandkids.

My dad is always at his grandchildren's games and events cheering them on,” said Melissa. “They just adore him and love having him there!

Fred said that although his official coaching days are over, he enjoys teaching his grandkids how to hold the bat or swing. “They get lots of tips from Pop Pop!” he said.

On Sundays, Fred is in the kitchen, making made-to-order breakfast for his kids and grandkids. Fred said he treats his kitchen like a restaurant and will make anything, but the kids always want the same thing: chocolate chip pancakes! The staff at MNHS are also lucky to be the recipients of his homemade treats. What started off as making a few strombolis to share in the lunchroom around the holidays has turned into making twenty strombolis every year.

As soon as we return to school in September, I start getting asked if I’ll be making the strombolis again for Christmas,” said Fred. “I spend a few evenings in the kitchen rolling out the dough so I have enough to share with the staff.

Fred’s wife and kids said that despite his rockstar status in the community, he’s a humble man who is happiest when he can make others happy. “I just try to make everyone’s day a little brighter,” said Fred.

Thank you Fred, for sharing your story about what it means to be a positive role model not just to your own children, but to so many in the Marple community. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are an inspiration to your Marple Friends & Neighbors.

Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.