John Gordon Hill DVM

our deepest condolences to all the family
I have only a few memories of “uncle Gordon” at the Hill cottage but he was always regarded as a kind and gentle man
we are so sorry for the family’s loss
love and prayers from the Muller /Blackstock family

Gord was an amazing guy who virtually adopted my twin brother Larry and myself after vouching for us during our application to rent an apartment in his building. Larry and I will never forget that trip to New York City riding in back of his Pontiac Laurentian convertible. Gord really had style.

I remember Uncle Gord (not my unlce but we all called him that on Kahshe) gently pulling quills out of our Husky’s face. Such a wonderful vet. My condolences to the whole family.

I have so many memories with my Great Uncle Gordon that I would like to share…
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to spend my summers at the family cottage with my mom, and Uncle Gordon would spend his summers there once he was retired. I remember going up to see him every morning once he was outside on his chaise lounge. Our dog, Maggie, would always be the first one up visiting him, but I wasn’t far behind. I would bring my deck of cards and we would play different card games, my favourite being Go Fish. He would always make jokes about the different characters on the cards, or would pretend to be in shock every time I got a pair…”WELLLL!”
Uncle Gordon always loved being at the family cottage. If we weren’t already swimming, we would see him float by on his air mattress, which was our cue to join him. I recall a few of us getting our pool noodles and swimming down towards the Sinclair’s and Henderson’s cottages with him to surprise everyone.
Uncle Gordon would always have treats and snacks for anyone who would visit him, whether it be at the cottage, Lakeside Retirement, or Roberta Place. I remember he would always stock up on Chubby soda drinks for me and my cousins, and always had his glass chicken dish filled with jujubes or jellybeans for us to help ourselves. He would take us to Rockhaven when he went to buy the newspaper and would let us pick out candies and icecream as a treat.
When it was just my mom, Uncle Gordon and I at the cottage, we would need to head up to Gravenhurst for groceries once per week, but we would make a few stops along the way. First we would go to the “Sally Ann,” then “The Tigger,” then the Beer Store and farmers market, and lastly, the grocery store.
After supper each day, Uncle Gordon would make his way down the stairs at WIGORUSA with his cup of tea to join the family members. He always had something to talk about or stories to tell. When it was time for him to head up to his cottage for bed, he’d walk up the stairs singing, “Summertime.”
I am so grateful to have so many wonderful memories with him. He definitely made my summers more fun and memorable. I will miss him dearly. May he rest in peace.

So sad to hear that ‘Uncle’ Gordon passed away. When we were younger and we visited WIGORUSA he always made us welcome and we loved hearing his ‘vet’ stories. Though we didn’t see him lately, I will miss knowing that he is ‘there’. He will always be an integral part of my memories of Kahshe Lake. Love to the family.

It doesn’t seem right to know that ‘Uncle’ Gord is no longer here. He was Ted and my Mum’s first cousin. Mum and I used to canoe around Lindhill Island every year to see the cousins, and if Gord wasn’t at his cottage, the trip didn’t feel finished. Always a smile! Even though we haven’t been in close contact for several years, he will be missed. Love to all.

Gordon didn’t like his picture being taken. Here is the only picture I have of him. It’s in the early 60s at our house in Lorne Park. The group was on their way to New York City. Susan will recognize Elizabeth Strathdee.

Gordon was , as Jerry Gorman said, a man of great style. He was a delightful man and a wonderful friend.

To Gord’s family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful person with a fund of stories. You may have heard this one.

On a Saturday night in 1963 Gord and I were watching Hockey Night in Canada and drinking martinis when an emergency call came. We went to the Brown Animal Hospital. Jiggsy, a plump elderly Cocker Spaniel had been munched by a German Shepherd. Gord put the anaesthetic needle in her arm and sewed up the elliptical slits on her back. Not much blood. Gord could do sutures with one hand. I stood by to nudge the anaesthetic needle a bit if she started to twitch. Jiggsy made a full recovery. A decade later writer David Cobb interviewed me for the Toronto Star. He also talked to a childhood friend who told him about my veterinary work saying my needlework was superb and if she ever had to have stitches she would want me to do them. The next week I received a registered letter from the Ontario College of Veterinary Medicine saying it had come to their attention that I had been practising Veterinary Medicine without a licence – to cease and desist etc. etc. I phoned Gord who roared with laughter. He phoned the president of the association and told him the story. Gord framed the letter and had it in his office for decades.

Here is a picture from the trip to New York to see off Bev and Hal who were sailing on the SS France for a year in Germany. August 1963.

Dr Hill and I go back over 60 years when I met him as a child at Dr Browns Animal Hospital in Toronto. We were introduced to him through our uncle Dr Herb Reuber who attended University of Guelph Veterinary College with him. They remained friends for many years until Herb passed in 1995. Herbert Reuber focused in animal research and eventually in Food and Drug Ottawa. I fondly remember that every time Herb came to Canada we together would visit with Dr Hill and sometimes even attend surgeries along side.
Dr Hill was always our vet up until he retired ( but never actually left the office) I would occasionally run into him as he stopped by the office to pick up deposits for the bank and he would always ask about Herb and his wife Marilyn.
We really missed him as he was our go to Dr for all of our many dogs over the years. His knowledge, service and kindness was beyond reproach. One of a kind!