Dave Hitt, a Familiar Face Across the Southern Tier, Has Died

Dave Hitt was on my mind the night before I found out he'd passed away. I couldn't tell you why. I hadn't spoken to him in forever, hadn't driven past his place off Route 26 in even longer, yet there he was, unprompted, in my thoughts. My friend Mary reached out the next day to tell me the news. He was gone.

Dave Hitt's Christmas Light Display in Vestal Center

I'd known Dave for well over a decade by the time he invited my family out to his home in Vestal Center to see the Christmas lights he'd built and synced to music. My family could tell right away how much care went into it, from the timing of every string to the way he lit up when he talked about it. That same care showed up everywhere else in his life, in the way he stood along Route 26 with a flag in his hand and the way he showed up at fire scenes with a camera before anyone had to ask.

Waving the American Flag Along Route 26

The American flag is how many people knew Dave, even if they never learned his name. He would occasionally sit out along Route 26 waving it, and if you drive that stretch of road, you likely passed him without realizing you'd just seen someone who thought about that flag every day of the year, not just the ones that make the news. Every year, right around this time, Dave would reach out and ask me what our radio stations had planned to mark September 11th. It wasn't a passing question. He wanted to know that we wouldn't let it slip by, and he asked every single year.

A Familiar Face at Southern Tier Fire Scenes

Health problems followed Dave for most of his life, but they never seemed to be the first thing people remembered. People remembered how much he loved being with the crew at the fire department. Dave had wanted to be a firefighter for as long as anyone who knew him could remember, and when the traditional path wasn't open to him, he built his own version of it. He signed on with the Vestal Fire Department for auxiliary work, supported the Endicott and Apalachin departments, and gave his time to Vestal EMS, Special Olympics, and Challenger Baseball. Dave was proud of his work with the American Red Cross too, where he volunteered with the local disaster team.

None of that was easy logistically, since Dave didn't drive. He relied on family for rides and often arrived on scene after the trucks were already there, but he still found a way to get his shot. He carried a camera with him everywhere, and the photos he took across the region built a real following through Through the Smoke Photography, the page where he shared them.

Dave Hitt's Brother Mike Shares His Story in a GoFundMe Post

Dave's brother Mike has set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs. Mike wrote that Dave was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, along with learning disabilities and hearing issues, and dealt with medical problems for his entire life. At one point, a blood transfusion led to a disease that caused liver failure. None of it stopped Dave from giving his time to other people instead of keeping it for himself.

During local floods, Dave spent hours handing out supplies and simply being present for neighbors who needed it. Mike said strangers still stop him and mention they know him as Dave's brother, then share a memory of something kind Dave once did for them.

Endicott Fire Department Remembers Its Photographer

Endicott Fire Department posted its own tribute after Dave died, and it says in a few lines what could fill pages. They called him a friend, and said Dave loved anything connected to the fire service, especially the photography. He became their photographer without anyone ever officially giving him the title. He spent long hours at the station with Lt. Abell, waiting for the call that might turn into a good action shot, and firefighters near and far knew him and welcomed him at their own stations.

How to Donate to Dave Hitt's GoFundMe

Mike is asking for help covering Dave's funeral and burial costs. Any donation matters, and so does sharing the fundraiser with people who can give. You can find it here: Help Lay David Hitt to Rest.

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I keep coming back to all of the ways Dave quietly brought joy to others, the flag along Route 26, the camera that seemed permanently around his neck. Dave gave a great deal to this community over the years and rarely asked for anything in return. It seems only right that we give something back to him now.