Hill, Donald Leroy
DONALD LEROY HILL
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you and whispered “come to me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
“Be sure to turn out the light, I need to get some sleep”, the last words Don spoke before his unexpected passing. He was a dearly loved husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
We celebrate the life that Donald (Don) Leroy Hill lived and loved every day of his 95 years, from his first breath on April 27th, 1927 until his last on Friday, August 12th, 2022. We celebrate the life he shared with his true love and best friend, Margaret over these past 71 plus years. We celebrate the legacy he has left in his children: Deborah, Craig (Gabe), Marilyn (Howie) Tighe, Robin (deceased) (Lorie), Elaine (Sheldon) Williams, and Barry; 18 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. Dad (Grandpa) had time for each of us whenever we called or dropped by to visit. He was the rock on which our family was built.
Don was a farmer, businessman, co-founder of the HIO (it’s all about family), pilot (he flew a Harvard off a stubble field beside the farm), curler (he skipped the winning team in the Massey Ferguson 1st National Farmer’s Curling Championship in Toronto), golfer (he had 2 holes in one), ballplayer, mechanic (he converted a truck to battery power before anyone ever heard of Tesla!!), carpenter, electrician, welder (he could fix anything), winemaker, veterinarian, community and church leader, blood donor, little league coach, historian, adventurer and life-long learner (he started using a computer in his 80’s). If you chatted with Don, you’d know that he was all of this and so much more. His storytelling, quick wit and dry sense of humour would fill you with laughter. Don was interesting and interested in all that went on around him.
Don grew up in Boharm, SK just 8 miles west of Moose Jaw, SK; rumour had it that a car full of Al Capone’s guys wearing suits and carrying violin cases drove in one day. Or maybe that was just one of his stories!! Don travelled far and wide when he was a young man. He then came home to the land that he loved and farmed for the next 65 years, 4 miles south of the original Hill family homestead that was settled in the 1880’s.
Don is now home with so many beloved family and friends who have gone on before him: parents, Roy and Vina; step-mother, Muriel; son, Robin; granddaughter, Nikki; sister and brother-in-law, Marg and John Parr; brother, Burleigh (died in WWII); brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Muriel; brother, Bob; brother-in-law, Bob Woolley; and brother-in-law, Ron Trammell. Don will be greatly missed by his brother and sister-in-law, Gord and Mary; sister-in-law, Robbie; and sister-in-law, Norma Trammell.
We especially want to thank all the friends at Points West Living (Caleb Village) and the wonderful staff who have become like family over these past eight years. We truly appreciate all of your kindness, love and support.
In keeping with Don’s request, a Private Family Gathering will be held at a later date. No flowers please. As an expression of remembrance, donations in Don’s name may be made to the Lung Association of Saskatchewan, 2308 Arlington Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7J 3L3 www.lungsask.ca or the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank, 270 Fairford St W, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1V6 www.mjfoodbank.org, or book an appointment to donate blood at Canadian Blood Services www.blood.ca. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Cara Ashworth – Intern Funeral Director 306-693-4550
Dear Marilyn,Howie and Families. Our deepest condolences go out to all of you in your time of sorrow. May your memories carry you through this difficult time. Cliff and Doris Dunlop
Our deepest sympathies to Marilyn, Howie and to all the families on the loss of Don. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
so sorry to hear about your loss Debbie. Hugs and Love to you and yours and all the family
Elaine, Sheldon and family, Thinking of you at this difficult time. Treasure your many memories.
Don was an amazing man. A gentleman in its greatest form.
To all the Hill family, I express my condolences and share your sorrow for the loss of a great man.
God left him on earth until he had completed the duties assigned to him bye God and when completed, took him home.
Dick Baum
Deb and family, our deepest condolences on the loss of your father. Hugs to you, and may he rest in peace.
Carol and John
My deepest condolences. Loved the visits whenever Citizens All had a party. Hugs to Barry.
I am so sorry for your loss Don, he was a Wheat Pool Delegate with my husband and later in Points West where my mother lives, our thoughts are with you all.
Wanda Hallborg and family.
Sorry to hear about Don’s passing. He was a prince of a gentleman well known and respected by all who ever met him.
Sending sincere sympathy on your huge loss of Don. He was such a good man and lived a full life. I am so glad I was able to chat with him at the community gathering last month in Moose Jaw. Hugs to each of you and God Bless.
Dear Elaine, Sheldon and Family; We send our deepest condolences to you and all your family on the passing of your Dad, husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. Now is the time when your wonderful memories become so very important to each one of you. May you find comfort in those memories. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers during these difficult days.
I had the pleasure of dealing with Don many times in the agriculture business. I enjoyed it every time. He showed me his battery powered truck shortly after he finished it.
Elaine and Sheldon,
Beautiful tribute to a good man. What wonderful memories. Give your hearts time to heal.
So sorry for your loss!
Don and Marg were wonderful friends when I worked in Moose Jaw. I always enjoyed Don’s off beat sence of humor.
Sending my deepest condolences to the Hill family on Don’s passing. I have so many happy memories of Don from curling, 4-H, and Don being an important part of the Boharm community. As a kid, I remember him flying over our farmhouse in his Harvard and I’d run outside so I could wave to him in his plane.
May the many wonderful memories of Don comfort your family during this difficult time.
Our condolences to Marilyn, Howie and family as well as the extended Hill family on the loss of your Dad and Grandpa, Don.
Your families will be sharing countless stories of the number of lives Don touched over the years.
His Memory will be eternal for a great many. Thinking of your families at this sad time.
Very sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad, Marilyn. Our condolences to you and all of your family. He sounds as he was quite the character.
Marilyn, Howie, Elaine, Sheldon, and family’s, so sorry for your loss, our condolences to the entire Hill family
Heartfelt condolences to every member of the Hill family. Don brightened a room with his smile, stories and welcoming way. I remember ball games and church picnics at Besant Park. And then into 4-H and curling. He even had the nerve and initiative to take a hotshot teenage boys curling team to Yellowknife NWT for a bonspiel. What an experience for a farm kid like me.
I’m sure there are so many fond memories for the Hill family members and friends / acquaintances alike. Peace to you all.
All the best in this difficult time
Harley and Christine House
Our most sincere condolences to the Hill Family.
Lloyd and Sandi Luhning
Condolences to Marg and all of the Hill family on the passing of Doug. I remember Doug delivering eggs to our house on Ross Street back in the mid 1950’s and of course have heard of his activities and family events through the Pascoes, Bennies and Crichtons over these past 70 years..
Elaine and Sheldon, our condolances on the passing of Don. Though I did not know him, reading about his life, had an a great one.
Our deepest sympathy to Marg and all of your family on your loss of this great man!
He was such a friend to our Dad , Charlie, and Uncle Basil and always was so friendly to us all!
I smiled with Barb’s comment of the harvard plane buzzing over- what excitement that caused at our place!
Love and sympathy, Marj and Bruno Weiss