Carl C. Hillgren

Carl C. Hillgren
Carl C. Hillgren “Jay”, died from a stroke on May 26, 2011 at 86 years of age. Mr. Hillgren was the only child of Swedish immigrant parents. He was born November 8, 1924 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
At 5 years of age, his family moved to California where he went on to graduate from Huntington Park High School and later attended University of California, Santa Barbara. At age 19, Mr. Hillgren enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a pilot. As a young man, he worked with his father at the family’s manufacturing company building Westlock doorlocks from 1932-1960. During that time, Mr. Hillgren was awarded 16 patents for his inventions and later was tapped to be the President of Westlock. After selling the company in 1960, he became an Industrial Real Estate developer in Orange County. Throughout his life, he pursued his passions of flying, fishing, diving and boating with his many wonderful friends and family. Mr. Hillgren was predeceased by his daughter, Lea, and his wives, Kay Laird, and Margit Hillgren. He is survived by his wife, Grayce Hillgren, his son, Mark Hillgren, his daughter, Mary Baldoni, and grandchildren Sophia Hillgren and Carl Hillgren. Jay died too soon for his loved ones and will be deeply missed. He leaves a legacy of a sense of fun, adventure and love of life. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 11, 2011 at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:
National Stroke Association
9707 East Easter Lane
Centennial, CO 80112
or
City of Hope
1500 East Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010
(attention Gift Administration-”In Memory of Carl C. Hillgren”