JEFFREY CHARLES HILL
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden and untimely death of Jeffrey Charles Hill on December 22, 2025, at the age of 66. He was always on the go, whether playing pickleball, golf, baseball, curling, attending Knights games or playing cards with buddies. He visited his family on Vancouver Island regularly and loved walking downtown or to the beach. He took great joy in watching his grandsons participate in sports and play and he was so proud to see his son follow in his footsteps as a baseball coach. Jeff was a gentle soul, well-liked by everyone and loved by many. One can only hope that he was called to a greater place for a greater purpose.
Jeff and Laura met while she was working in reception at CP Rail and Jeff was hired as a summer student during university. Laura invited him to play baseball after work on a Friday night, which was followed by many more outings to Detroit Tiger games, concerts, tobogganing, going out with friends and getting to know each other’s families. They married in 1984 and had two children, Ashley and Ryan, who were Jeff’s pride and joy. Jeff was a loving and devoted father to the very end. Ashley and Ryan will miss the connection they had with their dad, talking about sports and making their weekly football picks together. As Ashley and Ryan were growing up, Jeff never tired of playing catch with Ryan or building ice rinks and igloos for them both to enjoy. He could regularly be seen with his family on walks with their dog, Honey, bike rides or poolside. Ashley and Ryan have many cherished memories of time with their Dad, including some great trips, family reunions every summer at Sauble Beach, and playing cards and board games together.
Ryan moved to Vancouver Island after university where he met his wife, Tanya, and they went on to have three adorable boys – Oscar, Elias and Mateo – who were a beam of light for Jeff and who will miss their very fun Grandpa in the stands cheering them on, sharing their day on the walk home from school or at the dinner table for years to come. Jeff got to celebrate Ashley’s call to the bar in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2019 and her 40th birthday with a trip to Newfoundland in the summer of 2024. He also visited her at her home in Edmonton on a road trip out west in the summer of 2025.
Jeff and Laura are proof that love comes in many forms and their genuine love and respect for each other survived all odds and challenges. They were very connected through their family out west as well as their families in southwestern Ontario. Every gift given was from Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa and will forever be so. We always enjoyed his selfies on various greens at Highland golf course to let us know he was in his happy place. Jeff drove with Laura across the country to help her relocate to Vancouver Island to be closer to their grandkids and he was not far from making that move himself.
We take great comfort in the knowledge that Jeff was loved by Julie Frick (London) and her daughters, Isabella and Angelina, who thought of him as family. He got to enjoy some excellent cooking and many laughs and will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by them. While he travelled to many exotic places, his favourite place to be was at the beach and in the sun and he continued annual visits to see his family and enjoy some golf with them in Sauble Beach.
Jeff started his career at CIBC, moved over to the Royal Bank and, finally, watched his career really take off at the Business Development Bank of Canada, enabling him to have a very satisfying life of travel, recreation and leisure. Jeff retired in 2020 and got to spend 6 years post retirement enjoying the activities he loved the most.
Jeff grew up in a loving home in Windsor, Ontario and is the first of his siblings to join his parents, Norm and Helen Hill (deceased). He is mourned by Mike (Joan) Hill of Sarnia, Pete (Dawn) Hill of Sarasota, Mary (Jim) McKinlay of Ridgetown and Kim (Craig) Bourque of Windsor.
To the very end, Jeff was considered a son and brother to Laura’s family, Ted and Betty Conn (deceased) of Windsor, Vicki (Steve) Adams of Calgary, Debbie (Larry) Serran of Windsor, Susan (Rick, deceased; Mike North ) Beneteau of Windsor and Nate (Julie Skinner) Conn of Clarkston, Michigan.
Jeff’s many nieces, nephews, neighbours, classmates, teammates, colleagues and friends are heartbroken to hear of his passing.
Jeff was pragmatic and generous and, as such, had offered his body for donation as needed. We take comfort in knowing that his wishes were honoured and his beautiful blue eyes were donated to serve science and help others.
Cremation has taken place. We will honour and celebrate Jeff next spring and will announce this on Facebook. If anyone would like make contact, you may do so by email – JLARHILL@ROGERS.COM
Raise a cup of Earl Grey tea or a cold Bubly in honour of this great man and live life as he had learned to … ~ One day at a time ~
