Stanley Hill

Stanley Hill was born in Garvagh, Northern Ireland, the youngest of five children and the son of the local policeman. He grew up through the depression and the second world war, when tens of thousands of soldiers were based in NI prior to the D Day invasion of Normandy. The war was followed by “The Troubles”, sectarian violence that affected many throughout Northern Ireland throughout the fifties and sixties and beyond. He became a highly skilled millwright, and applied his abilities on behalf of a number of manufacturing plants based in Ireland. In 1955 he married Elva McCaughey and in 1958 started their family with son Hugh, followed by Alexis and then John. In 1966, Stan decided that his future, and that of his young family no longer lay in Northern Ireland and emigrated to Canada. Stan came over alone to get himself established in his trade, then in 1967 sent for his family. Stan worked for a number of years for DeHavilland aircraft, which later became McDonnell-Douglas, but frequent labour disputes and strikes, forced him to work multiple jobs to support his family, and ultimately he joined Lever Brothers, again as the resident millwright, charged with the responsibility of keeping their manufacturing lines in good repair and operating. Elva passed away in 1989, and Stan retired in 1993. He applied his skills to a number of hobbies, primarily woodworking and displayed his abilities by designing and then making such things as a guitar, a violin, a lute and other working items entirely from raw materials. Like many from his homeland, Stan was also a gifted storyteller, often regaling the family with amusing stories about his youth in Ireland, telling us of pranks and tricks he and his brothers played on each other, other kids around Garvagh, and even some of the local businesses. Stan enjoyed some 25 years of retirement and the arrival of grandchildren and great grandchildren, but slowed down considerably during his last year or two due to ill health, ultimately passing on June 30, 2018 about midway through is ninetieth year. Visitation will be held at Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre on Saturday, July 7 from 1 to 3 pm with a service at 3 pm in the chapel. Reception to follow.