Barry Lewis Hiltz

With broken hearts, the family of Barry Lewis Hiltz shares his passing on Saturday October 25th, 2014. Surrounded with love by his wife and children, in his own home, where he just always wanted to be, Barry made his way back to God.

Barry was an honest, loyal, humble man who loved his family, his ranch and working cattle with friends. Nothing could improve upon a day of riding in the hills, tending cattle and sharing old times and laughter round the fire afterwards. He had a laugh that will be remembered and oh so missed!

He loved hockey; playing, coaching, encouraging his son and watching, especially at the Thunderdome in Glentworth where we spent so many hours through the years. It was a special thrill to have his son playing on the senior team that won the championship this past season and even through his treatments last winter, rarely missed a home game.

After just a few adventures in the city as a young man, Barry returned home to farm and ranch with his dad and never had any desire to be anywhere else. They were a team and worked together with a quiet understanding and mutual respect that is rare to witness. His parents were a constant source of love and support through the years. In 2003 we moved into the farm house his parents built, and they moved to town. Although his siblings all chose to settle elsewhere it was important to him to keep the home place for them. Hosting family celebrations with drives to favourite sites was always a pleasure. He enjoyed history and had a memory that was positively astounding, recalling easily stories he'd heard through the years or read in history books.

He was born in Mankota, on January 2nd, 1957, firstborn in his family, first grandchild to Allen and Mildred Thomson and first great-grandchild to Sarah & Alfred Munford. He attended school in McCord and then in Glentworth and was a lifelong learner, attending courses and conferences and constantly reading. He had a brilliant mind.

Barry was predeceased by grandparents Lewis and Retta Hiltz, and Allen and Mildred Thomson of McCord and father-in-law Gerald Riopel of Kitchener, Ont. Left to grieve: wife Wendy Hiltz and children Kira, Kyrstin and Clay of McCord, parents Joyce and Vaughn Hiltz of McCord, step-grandmother Ann Thomson of Coquitlam, BC, sister Connie (Jeff Webber) of Calgary, niece Lindsey Saville (Jim) & children Nolan, Averly, Jeffrey, of Redcliffe, Alta, niece Jessica Webber (Rogan McLean) of Brandon, Man, sister Gwen (Sheri Herbert) of Swift Current, brother Mark (Cheryl Meek), niece Samantha and nephew Riley all of Calgary, mother-in-law Marna Riopel of Kitchener, Ont, father & mother-in-law Robert & Claudette MacElwee of Alliston, Ont, sister-in-law Heather Pluecks (Garth Flynn) Glentworth, Sk, nephew Jonathon Pluecks (Kiersten) of Lethbridge & niece Shawna Pluecks of Regina, brother-in-law Andrew MacElwee (Jayne Silvester Smith), nephew Mathew MacElwee (Taylor) Niece Amelia & daughter Mallory all of Victoria, BC, brother-in-law Jason Riopel (Jackie), niece Isis & nephew Olliver of Kitchener Ont, sister-in-law Carole Ann Riopel (Stu) and nephew Adam Meridith, multiplicities of aunts, uncles, cousins and a hope filled, devoted community of friends.

There is no way to express our gratitude. We have been carried by grace throughout this whole ordeal by the hopes, prayers and so so many acts of kindness from so many faithful friends and family.

We are also especially grateful to Drs Pillay and Ramlakhan, the extraordinary staff at St Joseph's Hospital who always provided a warm, safe nest for us and the homecare staff who supported us in the end unfailingly. There are no words.

The greatest gift of life is knowing you are loved.

Barry knew he was loved.

Celebration of Life Service held in McCord United Church November 1, 2014 at 2:00 pm. Reverend Mathias Ross officiated and music was led by organist, Dianne Falconer. Donations may be made to St Joseph Palliative Care Fund in memory of Barry Hiltz, Box 810, Gravelbourg, Sk , S0H 1X0 or The Waverley Skating Rink Barry Hiltz Memorial, cheques payable to RM #44, Glentworth, SK, S0H 1V0. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com.