Ernest Douglas Hill

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Ernest Douglas Hill on Sunday, August 28th, 2016… unfortunately, Dad missed his 92nd birthday by one day.  He was born in Moose Jaw on August 29th, 1924.  He was predeceased by his wife, Muriel Hill; daughter, Brenda; parents, Vina Pearl and John Archibald Leroy Hill; step-mother, Muriel Hill; sister, Margaret (Parr); brothers, Burleigh and Bob; in-laws, Annie and Mel Campbell, Marg and Red Delyea, Art Boyton, Aurel Brisbois, Phil and Don Barnett, Pete Papic and Don Johnson; nieces and nephews: Robin Hill, Nikki Hill, Rhonda Malloch, Kevin Campbell, and baby Cruz Vandermeulen.  Doug will be sadly missed by his children: Brian (Marilyn) Hill, Chris Hill, Burleigh (Shelley) Hill and Diane (Ian) Riendeau; grandchildren: Amy (Troy) Sharpe, Graham (Caitlin) Hill, Christie Hill, Alissa (Chris) Olfert, Jocelyn (Matt) Froehlich, Emily Sagal and their dad Stan Sagal, Ryan (Taryn) Hill, Bobby (Lindsay) Hill, Tessa Hill and Jacques Borgeaud, Wylie (Veselina) and Maks Riendeau, Maisie, Sadie, Annie and Wyatt Riendeau; great-grandchildren: Dillon and Jacob Sharpe, Elie, Isla, Everett, Emelia and Arie Hill, Leila, Nash, Odin and Finn Olfert, and Alice Hill.  Dad was always proud of being a farmer from Boharm, SK.  He was a kind, hardworking, dedicated family man, with a strong connection to his church, community and the land.  Dad enjoyed his leisure time playing and watching curling, baseball and hockey, along with watching his children and grandchildren participate in their Remembrance Day Services, Christmas concerts, square dancing, recitals, musicals and sports.  Dad enlisted with the RCAF in the fall of ’42, calling him up in February ’43.  He took his basic training in Ft. McLeod, AB and mustered as an Air Gunner, training in Mount Jolie, PQ and St. Thomas, ON.  Thankfully, by the time his training was over, so was the war.  Dad worked in the coal mines at Michel, BC over one winter, coming back home in the spring to help his Dad and Uncle Ernie Pascoe on the farm.  He started farming on his own in ’47 with a 5’ one-way and a VAC Case tractor, renting the home ¼ and 100 acres on the flats from his dad (…Grandpa Roy started with the CPR back in ’42).  Dad was very proud of his setup even though it was pretty small!  On the ‘biggest day of his life’, October 4th, 1950, Dad married the love of his life, Muriel Elsie Boyton, and they raised their family in the Hill family home in Boharm.  Mom and Dad always provided a loving and caring home life where we were always surrounded by family and friends.  When Dad’s work on the farm slowed down with Brian taking over, Mom and Dad enjoyed some travel holidays, the first big trip on their 25th Anniversary going to England to visit Mom’s relatives and to Uncle Burleigh’s RCAF Base in Lincolnshire.  They went on some bus trips to the Maritime Provinces, down the eastern USA coast, as well as to Nashville and Dallas.  They travelled through every Canadian province and American state, missing only Newfoundland, Alaska and Hawaii.  They made lots of friends on these trips but their greatest pleasure was the simple things of life at home.  Mom’s health was failing in 2008 and they moved into the Bentley.  It was a wonderful home for them but unfortunately Mom’s health continued to decline and eventually went to Extendicare, thankfully the kind hearted/wonderful Bentley bus driver, Lana (Erickson), made sure Dad visited her every day to hold her hand.  Mom passed away on November 29th, 2011.  The family greatly appreciated all the support he received from all his friends and the Bentley staff at this sad time for Dad.  Dad stayed at the Bentley until this spring when his health started to fail, moving from Pioneer Lodge then to Extendicare.  Dad always hoped he could get back to his friends at the Bentley.  We are very grateful for all those friends, old and new, who took part in Dad’s life.  The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 3rd, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in Minto United Church, 1036 7th Ave NW, Moose Jaw, SK.  Reverend Linda Tomlinson-Seebach will officiate and interment will take place at Rosedale Cemetery at a later date.  Flowers are gratefully declined.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in Doug’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  James Murdock, Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550