Obituary for David Howard Hill
Passed away peacefully at Brockville, Ontario after a long and good life.
Dear father of Alex (Cattaleya), Sylvia and Rosemary (Denis), husband of the late Sandra Rae, he will be
missed by her children Greg (Sandra), Wendy (Dan) and Cherin (Michael).
He was the proud Grandpa of loving grandchildren Vicky (Ross), Stephanie (Lyndon), Andrew (Storm),
Alexandra (Hervé), Karoline (Brian), Martin, Jonathan, Steven, Jacqueline, Jodie, Avalon, Adam, Alanna,
and great-grandchildren Ian, Allison, Evelyn, and Lemmy. He will also be fondly remembered by the
mother of his children, Hilary Hill (Watt).
David was born in Montreal, Quebec to William and Helen (Ogilvie) Hill. He was predeceased by his elder
brother Ross (Tessie) and younger brother Leslie (Sally). He was Uncle David to John, Tricia, Bruce, Tony,
Andrew, Gordon, Duncan Hill & James, John, and Peter Watt.
David grew up on Old Orchard Avenue in N.D.G., Montreal, attending Willingdon Elementary, Westhill
High School, McGill University (B.Sc., 1948 & Teaching Diploma 1949), and Colby College (M.S.T, 1967).
He began his teaching career in 1949 at St. Francis College High School in Richmond, Quebec. In 1953
David was recruited to teach science and mathematics at Macdonald High School in Ste. Anne de
Bellevue, Quebec where he remained until he retired as principal in 1982. A highlight in David’s career
came in 1979 when he was awarded the Gordon Paterson Award by the Quebec Home & School
Association for long service to Quebec education.
David lived on the West Island of Montreal from the mid 1950’s where he raised his family with his first
wife Hilary. He relocated to Mississauga with his second wife Sandra in the mid-1980’s, ultimately
retiring to Niagara Falls in 1995. On Sandra’s passing in 2012 he moved to Brockville where he enjoyed
golfing and fast walks with the late Margaret McKend. In 2017 he moved into the Royal Brock
Retirement Residence where, as one of the “Royal Family”, he greatly enjoyed his final years.
David was a man of with many experiences and interests. He was active for many years with the
Canadian Officers Training Corp. Passionate about music, David played the piano, clarinet, and
saxophone and was a founding member of the Westernaires Dance Band (1946-1947) and played with
the Hudson Big Swing Band in the early 1980’s. David enjoyed carpentry and in his later years was an
avid golfer.
David’s family would like to thank the staff at the Royal Brock for providing him with exceptional
kindness and care during the final years of his life. Heartfelt appreciation to Jenifer Willis who ensured
the health and well-being of David during the pandemic and throughout his time at the Royal Brock.
Special thanks to the Brockville General Hospital team on Two-East and the Palliative Care Unit for
helping Dad transition peacefully and with dignity.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday August 27th starting at 2:00 PM at the Irvine Funeral Home
at 4 James Street East, Brockville Ontario K6V 1J9. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made
to the CNIB Foundation or the charity of your choice.
Dear father of Alex (Cattaleya), Sylvia and Rosemary (Denis), husband of the late Sandra Rae, he will be
missed by her children Greg (Sandra), Wendy (Dan) and Cherin (Michael).
He was the proud Grandpa of loving grandchildren Vicky (Ross), Stephanie (Lyndon), Andrew (Storm),
Alexandra (Hervé), Karoline (Brian), Martin, Jonathan, Steven, Jacqueline, Jodie, Avalon, Adam, Alanna,
and great-grandchildren Ian, Allison, Evelyn, and Lemmy. He will also be fondly remembered by the
mother of his children, Hilary Hill (Watt).
David was born in Montreal, Quebec to William and Helen (Ogilvie) Hill. He was predeceased by his elder
brother Ross (Tessie) and younger brother Leslie (Sally). He was Uncle David to John, Tricia, Bruce, Tony,
Andrew, Gordon, Duncan Hill & James, John, and Peter Watt.
David grew up on Old Orchard Avenue in N.D.G., Montreal, attending Willingdon Elementary, Westhill
High School, McGill University (B.Sc., 1948 & Teaching Diploma 1949), and Colby College (M.S.T, 1967).
He began his teaching career in 1949 at St. Francis College High School in Richmond, Quebec. In 1953
David was recruited to teach science and mathematics at Macdonald High School in Ste. Anne de
Bellevue, Quebec where he remained until he retired as principal in 1982. A highlight in David’s career
came in 1979 when he was awarded the Gordon Paterson Award by the Quebec Home & School
Association for long service to Quebec education.
David lived on the West Island of Montreal from the mid 1950’s where he raised his family with his first
wife Hilary. He relocated to Mississauga with his second wife Sandra in the mid-1980’s, ultimately
retiring to Niagara Falls in 1995. On Sandra’s passing in 2012 he moved to Brockville where he enjoyed
golfing and fast walks with the late Margaret McKend. In 2017 he moved into the Royal Brock
Retirement Residence where, as one of the “Royal Family”, he greatly enjoyed his final years.
David was a man of with many experiences and interests. He was active for many years with the
Canadian Officers Training Corp. Passionate about music, David played the piano, clarinet, and
saxophone and was a founding member of the Westernaires Dance Band (1946-1947) and played with
the Hudson Big Swing Band in the early 1980’s. David enjoyed carpentry and in his later years was an
avid golfer.
David’s family would like to thank the staff at the Royal Brock for providing him with exceptional
kindness and care during the final years of his life. Heartfelt appreciation to Jenifer Willis who ensured
the health and well-being of David during the pandemic and throughout his time at the Royal Brock.
Special thanks to the Brockville General Hospital team on Two-East and the Palliative Care Unit for
helping Dad transition peacefully and with dignity.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday August 27th starting at 2:00 PM at the Irvine Funeral Home
at 4 James Street East, Brockville Ontario K6V 1J9. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made
to the CNIB Foundation or the charity of your choice.