B.C. war veteran John Hillman, dead at 105, raised thousands for children's charity
Second World War veteran John Hillman, who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity in the last years of his life, died Monday at the age of 105.
Hillman gained widespread attention in 2020 for his fundraising efforts for Save the Children Canada's COVID relief fund, raising $169,000 while pushing his walker around the courtyard of his Oak Bay retirement home.
Hillman's daughter Lynn McDiarmid lives in nearby Victoria, B.C., and said he was a supportive father, always well-mannered and "always a gentleman."
She said her father's health had taken a turn for the worse in the past few weeks, his eyesight and hearing were failing him, but up until that point he'd been "blessed with a very sound, solid mind even at 105."
McDiarmid said her father had been inspired by a fellow war veteran in the U.K. to begin his fundraising walks at Carlton House retirement home where he lived before being moved to another facility.
Hillman was "gung-ho" to do the fundraising walks, she said, and with the support of Carlton House, the tradition carried on for several years.
"He became quite the celebrity here in Oak Bay and everybody knew him," she said in an interview Wednesday. "He loved it."
In a statement, Save the Children Canada said Hillman's annual walks raised more than $440,000, and the charity's president Danny Glenwright said Hillman remains an inspiration for his commitment to help children affected by war, conflict and climate change.
Glenwright said he first met Hillman in 2022 and was struck by his sharp mind at such an advanced age, concluding Hillman was not a "typical centenarian."
Hillman's charity walks, beginning when he turned 101, saw the veteran walking the courtyard of Carlton House retirement home, one lap for each year of his life.
Glenright said Wednesday that Hillman was focused on making each year "bigger than ever" to raise awareness and more funds for children suffering throughout the world, and he cherished video messages the charity shared with him from children who benefited from his fundraising efforts.
"He just really seemed like he was going to go on forever, so we were surprised and shocked and, and saddened by the news," Glenright said. "John was just such an incredible champion of our work at Save the Children and of children around the world, especially children in crisis."
McDiarmid said her father's passing wasn't expected, but also not a shock given his age and ailing health, but her father had no particular secrets to his longevity.
"People asked him that all the time. He had no idea. You know, he came through the war with rationing, so it wasn't a diet thing," she said. "He was lucky, but he made the most of it."
McDiarmid said her father's sight and hearing problems near the end led to him being isolated, and though it's difficult dealing with his loss, she said she was "sort of comforted" since he'd lived so long and seen and done so much.
"It was time for him to go and what more can you say?" she said. "He lived a very full, happy, rewarding life."
Hillman's wife, Irene, died in 2021 at the age of 100.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre supports Israel 'proactively striking' Iranian nuclear sites to defend itself
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is supporting Israel's right to defend itself against Iran following last week's ballistic missile attack, saying that right includes 'proactively striking Iranian nuclear sites and oil installations to defund the terrorist regime.'
DEVELOPING Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Florida's storm-battered Gulf Coast raced against a Category 5 hurricane Monday as workers sprinted to pick up heaps of appliances and other street debris left over from Helene two weeks ago and highways were clogged with people fleeing ahead of the storm.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Lululemon founder Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
'Feel free to get naked,' witness testifies Toronto councillor told her during 'networking' weekend
Toronto Coun. Michael Thompson 'forced himself on' a woman who awoke to find him standing over her after she fell asleep drunk, the Crown alleged Monday, as the five-day sexual assault trial of the six-term politician began in Bracebridge, Ont.
As Hurricane Milton intensifies, is Disney World still open?
Despite Hurricane Milton evolving into a Category 5 storm, Walt Disney World Resort remains open to the public and will operate as normal. However, the park announced Monday a few closures in an abundance of caution.
Disgraced former Winnipeg football coach sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault
A disgraced Winnipeg high school football coach convicted of sexual assault and luring will spend 20 years behind bars.
Two people injured in apparent road rage incident, shooting in Toronto
Two people are in hospital after they were chased and shot at in what appears to be an act of road rage before eventually flipping their car while trying to escape, police say.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
Prayers, protests and police as Canada marks anniversary of Oct. 7 Hamas attack
With prayers, protests, and a heavy police presence, Canada has marked the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and triggered an ongoing war.