Richard B. Hitt

Richard B. Hitt, 71, of Ridgefield, longtime operator of The Yankee Clipper and a former assistant dog warden, died August 31 at his home following an extended illness. He was the husband of Carolyn (Bardin) Hitt.

A native of the Noroton Heights section of Darien, Mr Hitt was born on August 7, 1933, a son of the late Gilbert W. and Ruth (Scribner) Hitt. Mr Hitt grew up in Darien and was a graduate of Darien High School, Class of 1951.

Besides his wife, Mr Hitt is survived by a daughter, Catherine Mead and her husband Dennis of Sandy Hook; a son, Dan Hitt and his wife Laramie of Middlebury; and five grandchildren, Gregory, Steven, and Michael Mead, all of Sandy Hook, and Amber and Eben Hitt of Middlebury.

His long association with dogs began at the age of 12 when he went to work for a Darien kennel. As a teenager, he served as a junior handler for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. After high school he worked for the Schulhof Animal Hospital in Westport and then became manager of its subsidiary.

He met Carolyn Bardin, who is from upstate New York, in Darien, and they were married in 1959. They lived in Darien until 1962 when the couple moved to Ridgefield. In 1974 the Hitts opened the Yankee Clipper grooming shop on Route 7. The shop marked its 30th anniversary last March.

Mr Hitt also served as assistant canine control officer in Ridgefield from 1982 to 1992. Over the years he had been lieutenant in the Darien Volunteer Fire Department and did stage lighting for the Troupers Light Opera in Darien, Stamford Showcase Theatre, and for the Charles Pope Choristers of Ridgefield. He learned the craft from a former vaudeville lighting expert who had lived in Darien when Mr Hitt was a young boy.

The Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown, was in charge of arrangements. The interment was private.

Contributions in memory of Mr Hitt may be made to the Ridgefield Fire Department Ambulance Fund, 5 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield CT 06877.

The Newtown Bee    September 10, 2004