Gerald (Garry) A. Hill
Born May 16, 1933

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad and Grampa, Gerald (Garry) A. Hill.  
Dad passed away peacefully at the hospital in Vernon BC on February 23rd, 2017.
Dad was born in MacDowell, Saskatchewan on May 16th, 1933 to Archibald (Archie) and Ila J. Hill. Dad married our Mom, Della Victoria (Vickie) Mackie on Sept 23, 1956. They started their family and are survived by their 3 children: son Garry C. (Janice), and Emily Hill of Prince Albert Saskatchewan, son Faron G. Hill of Vernon BC, and daughter Maureen J. (James), and Ryan and Sharlise Wingfield of Prince Albert Saskatchewan, wife Tina and her children Shannon , Charmaine and Quinton Mackie.  His brother Keith (Caroline) Hill of Cloverdale BC, His sister Heather (Lorne) McLeod, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by His first wife Della V. (Vickie) Hill née Mackie, parents Archie and Ila Hill, father-in-law Dennis Mackie, brother Bev Hill, sister Mary Hill, brothers-in-law Stewart, Vernon, Owen, Gerald, Lorne, Arthur, Mackie; sisters-in-law Rose (Cyril) Mullis, Lois (Gerry) Howland, Angeline (Don) Grant. 

Dad will be remembered by most for his music. Dad had a musical gift and entertained more people in his 83 years than he ever knew; and Dad knew a lot of people! 
He loved to entertain with any stringed instrument and did so from an early age of 4. His favourite and best was the voilin. He recorded a few of his own records back when they made 45’s and 33’s around the age of 16 in Vancouver BC where he also played on the radios in the early 50’s.  He won the Prince Prince Albert Winter festival Fiddlers Contest several times , he has represented Saskatchewan five times at the Canadian Grand Masters fiddle Championships in Ontario. He also recorded a CD called “The Buckaroos” which he dedicated to his first, (twin) grandchildren Ryan and Sharlise Wingfield.  This Cd has some of his own composed violin tunes and some of his and Mom’s favourites; of which he quickly sold out!
Dad rarely missed a dance to play for, a fiddler’s contest, a “Country North Show”,  old folk’s homes, etc.  He was instrumental in resurrecting Fiddlers Contests in BC where he moved to after Mom’s passing.
It has been said by many he had a way to make the bow and strings sing like no other. He always added his special touch and made an old tune come alive! Dad played his fiddle like a pro right up to his last days.
He retired as Assistant Manager of the Liquor Board Store in Prince Albert; and then retired a 2nd time at the age of 65 from the Saskatchewan Penitentiary. He was on many committees including President and Vice President of the Legion in Prince Albert; President of the Canadian Vetran’s Association for many years, which he ran from his office at  home in Vernon BC.

He was a soldier until he broke his leg when his chute didn’t open while training to be a paratrooper, living in Calgary AB.

The quiver of his bow and his quick humour will be sadly missed; not only by his family, but by the many lives he touched.

Dad this poem is for you:
The Old Violin 

The Touch of the Master’s Hand

‘Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bid, good people”, he cried,
“Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?”
“Two dollars, who makes it three?”
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,”

But, “No”!
From the room far back a gray headed man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said “What now am I bid for this old violin?”
As he held it aloft with its’ bow.

“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?”
“Two thousand, Who makes it three?”
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone”, said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
“We just don’t understand.”
“What changed its’ worth?”
Swift came the reply.
“The Touch of the Masters Hand.”

“And many a man with life out of tune
All battered and bruised with hardship
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters’ Hand.

Service to be held at 2 pm at All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon, BC

• Date : 2017-02-23