PORTSMOUTH � The city lost one of its best known and beloved citizens with the death of the Rev. Arthur Hilson on Saturday. He was 82.

If one met Hilson on the street, in his church, in the schools or anywhere else and asked him how he was doing, the answer was inevitable.

"I am too blessed to complain," Hilson would say. He may have been but the city was also blessed because of his choice to live his life here.

Hilson died on Saturday. His wife Florine confirmed he had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.

What Florine and two of Hilson's children had to say first and foremost, was that the man people saw in public, was the same man they lived with and loved.

"What people saw was the same side everyone, including us saw," Florine said. "He loved education. He loved his church and his church members. He loved strangers. During his sickness he kept counseling people, right to the last."

Hilson was the longtime reverend for New Hope Baptist Church on Peverly Hill Road. He also was a highly decorated U.S. Navy veteran of both Korea and Vietnam.

As a husband and a father, Florine said he was wonderful.

"He died at home," she said. "I and one of his daughters were by his side. He died knowing he was loved."

Celia Hilson said she saw an article about her father once. In the photo accompanying the article, he was standing with a big, blue sky behind him.

"The depiction made him look bigger than life, and actually, he was," Celia said. "That's how I feel about my dad. Having the time to spend these last few months with him, sharing stories is priceless to me. I am honored to be his daughter."

Celia said her dad has ties to the college community in Amherst, Massachusetts, and it was him who brought her there to study. She still lives in Amherst.

"He came to all of my plays," Celia said. "He always used to say he wanted to make an impact on the world. I'd say he did just that. His presence was so big. He lived and breathed this community. He loved everything about it."

Antoinette Hilson agreed with her mom. She said her dad was who he was 365 days a year, in the home, in his church and in the community.

"The same man every one of you saw on the outside, was the same man we had for a father," Antoinette said. "I really appreciate all the kind words we are hearing. I appreciate the stories. I am learning things I never knew before about my dad, and about how he touched people's lives."

Mayor Jack Blalock spoke fondly of Hilson.

"I have known Arthur for many years," he said on Saturday. "I met him when my son and his daughter, who were the same age, were involved in sports in school. Since that time, he has become one of my favorite human beings. He was easy to like, easy to be impressed by and he was a good man."

Blalock said he knew Hilson had been ill. He said now he is no longer in pain.

In addition to his work at New Hope Baptist Church, Hilson taught at Portsmouth High School and he served on the city's Police Commission when an opening needed to be filled. Blalock said he was put on the commission because "he belonged there."

Hilson resigned from the commission in November, citing health reasons.

When it was discovered there was an African burial ground under Chestnut Street, Hilson jumped into the effort to preserve it. Today, there is a park and monuments to the slaves interred there.

City Councilor Chris Dwyer, who helped lead the creation of the African Burying Ground Memorial Park, called Hilson "a pastor for the whole community."

"The thing that was interesting to me is how quiet he was," Dwyer said. "He would sit through a whole meeting and say nothing until the end. Then he would say something wise."

Dwyer said she knows Hilson meant a lot to the kids at Portsmouth High School, and to the people in the community.

"Someone would always want to come and speak with him when he was out in public," Dwyer said.

There is no information about services for Rev. Hilson yet. His family said they will make them available as soon as they can.

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