Jim Hill

MR. JIM HILL
of Sundridge

Peacefully at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital on Saturday May 23, 2020 at the age of 63.
Jim Hill, beloved husband of Wanda Mary (nee Murray).
Loving father of Keith and daughter-in-law Keshia of Sundridge.
Cherished Grampa of Veronica and Penelope Hill.
Dear brother of Wendy Howe (Terry) of Newmarket, late Sandy Levie of Toronto, Carolyn Hill of Bradford and Ron Hill (Ann Mary) of Callander.
Dear brother-in-law of Jack Murray (late Betty) of Katrine and Marie Stitt (Wayne) of Katrine.
Predeceased by parents James Roy Hill and Honor Elizabeth Hill (nee Fowler).
Fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great niece on the Hill and Murray sides, along with his many friends.
Jim was a quiet and shy man who didn’t want to be the centre of attention in anything he did.  Those who knew him experienced his quick whit and dry sense of humour. Jim was a true northern boy. He had a passion for fishing, hunting, ATVing, and snowmobiling with his many friends.  Some were childhood friends and some were new whom he met on his life’s journey.  Jim also spent hours driving his boat on boat trips down the Severn Waterways with childhood friends, but mostly you would see him tubing, waterskiing, or wakeboarding with Keith and friends on Lake Bernard. To sum it up, although shy, Jim loved to be surrounded by friends and family.
Jim joined the Sundridge Lions and worked along side this amazing group of men and women giving back to the community.  He could be seen wheedling a flipper at all the BBQs or working at the bottle bin. He was humbled to be the recipient of the Sundridge Lion of the Year Award. His comment at that time was that he didn’t deserve the award because he felt that many deserved the award more.  But that was Jim never wanting to be in the spotlight.
He was an avid reader, always giving opinions about a book or author.  You could say he had his own book club. Watching hockey was another passion.  He was a fountain of knowledge when it came to hockey and would talk about one trade or another for countless hours with Keith or friends.
He had a passion for family. He loved getting together with his sisters, brother, their spouses and niece and nephews.  Family meant so much to him.  Also he was close to his extended “in-law” family.  He was part of that family for 43 years.  Many times the two families combined and Jim was the happiest to have everyone together sharing in love and laughter.
His true passion in life was his immediate family.  Jim met Wanda when she was still in high school.  They connected at a broomball tournament when they were on the same team.  Two days later he asked her to marry him. In true “Jim” fashion they were married seven years later.  This June, they would have been married for 36 years.
The love for his son was insurmountable. Even as the years went by they talked daily.  He welcomed his daughter-in-law as his own and was happy that Keith had chosen a wonderful soul mate as a partner in life.  Life was good, even with the health issues and obstacles he experienced along the way.  Then came the crowning glory, he became a Grampa.  Veronica and Penelope made his life complete.  He couldn’t wait to see and be with them. They were the light of his life.
Jim’s final minutes of his short life were with his wife and son by his side. The last thing he heard was his two granddaughters’ video with the words “I love you Grampa” playing in his ear. It was time to rest. Life was complete.
A graveside service will be conducted in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kearney on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 11am, followed by a celebration of Jim’s life at Hill’s Hollow, 20 The Point Trail in Sundridge at 12:30 pm.  A Lion’s Service will be held at 12:45pm.
If desired, memorial donations to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation would be sincerely appreciated by the family.