Hillier Henley

It is with much sadness and tears that we had to say goodbye to our father, Hillier Francis Henley on May 2nd, 2020. Dad passed peacefully at the Geraldton District Hospital long term care at the age of 91 years and 7 months. He was born in Barachois, Gaspe to Edith Boyle and James Henley and was #14 out of 15 children. He is survived by his sister Ida who is 101 years of age and residing in St Catharines. Being from a small community dad and mom, Catherine Mary (nee Lemieux) knew each other, dated and married on October 15, 1955. It was very shortly after their marriage that they moved to Geraldton and began their lives and a family. Both mom and dad being from large families decided to keep it small and had 2 children, Norman and Natalie. You could say that a big part of dad's character was joking and tormenting everyone and anyone right up to the very end. It was not uncommon for him to hide behind a door and scare the cr_p out of you when you came to the house. There was one prank in particular that dad thoroughly enjoyed and spoke of for years ... it was the time we travelled to Gaspe with him and Denis was walking dad’s dog, Lucky in a Quebec roadside park. Well, Lucky lifted his leg and peed on Denis’ ankle/foot!! Dad really had nothing to do with that but we swear he must of trained Lucky to do that and it was a highlight throughout our trip. Dad loved to sing, but 80% of the time it was not a known song....oh no....he clearly loved making up his own songs that were really quite entertaining. He enjoyed gardening and even had a photo of his potato which resembled a duck featured in the Times Star one year. He and mom enjoyed watching wrestling and quite often would get the other in a wrestling choke hold. Many of dad's siblings also moved to Geraldton and they always made a point of getting together during the weekends to play "a good game of cards". He and mom spent many summers in Barachois after purchasing the house he grew up in. Family was very important and we managed to spend a great deal of time visiting and getting to know distant relatives on the Gaspe coast. Dad spent his early working career at Longlac Pulp and Paper and then got a job at MTO (then known as Department of Highways) where he spent his entire working career as a labourer. Dad faced the biggest challenge of his life when mom passed in July of 1999 and a few months later he suffered a stroke at the age of 70. His stroke left him with a partially paralyzed left side and he had to learn to live with one good hand and walk with a foot brace. He grumbled and cursed as anybody would facing this challenge but he succeeded like a champ and lived alone with a pet by his side until the age of 89 when he moved in to Geraldton District Hospital. I firmly believe that Norm’s children really missed out on growing up and experiencing a super grandfather because Kyle, Calvin and Coral were blessed with a unique and quirky “Pa” and have memories that will last them their lifetime. Dad is survived and will be missed by son Norm and his wife, Shelley and their children Anthony (Aaron), Adam (Aamir), Brittanya (Mitch) and Logan. Also survived and missed by daughter Natalie and her husband Denis and their children Kyle (Chantalle and children Chloe and Caleb), Calvin (Jen and children Connor and Bryce) and Coral (Travis and their children Katherine and Chase). Until we meet again dad (aka Pa)....behave yourself up there!! Donations can be made to St Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church or Geraldton District Hospital Extended Care.

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