Andrew Roy Hill

Born in Sydney, NS, Andrew was the son of Carol Hill (MacKenzie) and the late William M. Hill. He spent is early years growing up on Cape Breton Island before moving to Halifax to start a family and pursue his career.

Andrew was predeceased by his father William M. Hill. He is survived by his wife Lynda Hill; his son Dylan Hill (and wife Meaghan); his daughter Emily Hill (and fiancé Jeremy); his mother Carol Hill; his brother William "Bill" Hill (and wife Jocelyn); and his sister Krista Lettues (and husband Randy).

Many of you reading this knew Andy personally. Many of you knew his curious and generous mind. You knew his sense of humour and of integrity. You knew him as a voracious reader and intrepid futurist, always looking forward towards new ideas.

If you were lucky, you got to experience in person his contagious passion for his work; for life; and particularly, for his family. Many of you knew from him that deep and abiding love for his family. For his wife Lynda. For his son Dylan. For his daughter Emily. And for their families.

But you might not have known how he treated the people who worked for him. He was a sensitive, thoughtful, and creative leader who wanted other people to shine as bright as they could. Andy believed in those he worked with, seeing potential and fostering their growth. Those at his company mourn their leader, mentor, and friend, but are also grateful and richer for the time they had with him. Andy was that rare sort of person whose accomplishments, while considerable, are significantly outweighed by his humanity.

Andy was a visionary in interactive learning, founding Smartfirm more than 20 years ago because he recognized the need to educate professionals in digital spaces before almost anyone else. His legacy lives on through Smartfirm as it enters a new era.

Andy had a saying. He said you should try to “dent the universe.” It’s a sad day when you lose someone made of the kind of stuff of Andy Hill; but knowing he leaves behind a considerable dent in our universe makes it a little easier.

There will be a funeral service held on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 2:00 PM at JA Snow Funeral Home (339 Lacewood Drive) in Halifax. To attend, proof of vaccination is required.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JASnowFuneralHome.com for the Hill family.