Paul A. Hilton, 56, Winslow Board of Ed member, Rowan alum

Paul A. Hilton enjoyed spinning tales, the bigger the better.

"He was the ultimate storyteller," said his wife of 21 years, Angelique. "He loved a good story. He had an excellent memory and could always tell you a story about anyone he had met, even briefly."

There's the one about how the couple met through church: They talked for hours when she fell for him. She was delighted that he invited her to a crab fest. She thought it was a date. He did not.

Through the years, Mr. Hilton told the story, always ending with the question, "So was it a date or not?" (Most sided with his wife.) When Mr. Hilton introduced his girlfriend to his mother, he knew they were meant to be when his mom said, "She's beautiful. I love her for you."

Mr. Hilton, 56, of Sicklerville, died Monday, May 22, at his home. He had esophageal cancer.

He was a dedicated husband and father, making sure his son received the best of education.

He was a Winslow Township Board of Education member, and a community activist who was dedicated to his volunteer work and to his alma mater, Rowan University.

One of nine children, Mr. Hilton was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1983, he graduated from Glassboro State College, now Rowan, with a bachelor's degree in Health/Physical Education.

In 2010, Mr. Hilton helped organize the first Rowan black alumni reunion, which drew more than 400 people from around the country. The proceeds were donated to a scholarship fund for minority students.

In October 2016, he served as chairman of the reunion, which was expanded to a three-day event during Homecoming and included a reception, jazz night, and Gospel breakfast. The event raised more than $3,000 for scholarships.

In 2013, Mr. Hilton was elected to the Rowan University Alumni Association board of directors. He was re-elected to a four-year term this month. He organized the black alumni choir that performed at the university's annual Martin Luther King scholarship breakfast.

In 2014, Mr. Hilton was elected to a three-year term on the Winslow Township Board of Education. He was chairman of the Township Liaison Committee and served on the Citizens Advisory Committee. He also volunteered on the Winslow Township Drug and Alcohol Alliance.

"He was committed to trying to make a difference," said Julie Peterson, vice president of the school board and a longtime friend. "He believed in giving back and helping others."

Mr. Hilton was among 11 Camden County residents honored in January by the county Freeholder Board at a Freedom Medal ceremony for their contributions to the community. The award is presented to civic leaders who follow the principles of King.

"I just have a heart to give back," he told the Sicklerville Sun in January.

Since 1998, Mr. Hilton had worked as a casualty specialist at the CSAA Insurance Group in Mount Laurel. He previously was a claims adjuster at Colonial Penn Insurance in Plymouth Meeting.

Mr. Hilton was a longtime member of First Nazarene Baptist Church in Camden, where he met his future wife. He was president of the ushers' board and also a member of the board of trustees.

Since 2009, Mr. Hilton was a referee for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, officiating at high school track and field competitions. He was a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Matthew; four brothers; and three sisters.

A viewing is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, at First Nazarene Baptist Church, 1500 S. Eighth St., Camden. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Harleigh Cemetery, Camden.

Donations may be made to the Rowan University Foundation, Paul A. Hilton Memorial Scholarship, Shpeen Hall, 40 N. Academy St., Glassboro, N.J. 08028.