Obituary of John Elwood Hiltz

Age 98, of Berwick, Kings Co., passed away peacefully, on December 10, 2015. Born in Kensington, P.E.I. on January 16, 1917, he was the son of the late Edwin Cecil and Mary (Morrison) Hiltz. John moved to Berwick in 1921. He was a Barber in Berwick for 50 years and a very proud citizen of Berwick for 94 years. John was a Veteran of the Second World War, having served with the RCAF in Great Britain and Continental Europe. He was a member of Ortona Branch No. 69 of the Royal Canadian Legion and former member of the Veterans Club. He was a member of the Berwick Baptist Church and a veteran of the Berwick and District Volunteer Fire Department. John was a member of Valley Masonic Lodge No. 90 AF and AM for over 69 years, serving as Past Master in 1957. He was a past president and life member of the Berwick tennis club and was inducted into the Berwick Sports Hall of Fame as a builder and also as a member of the 1933-1936 Berwick Three Stars Hockey team. John had a lifelong interest in sports and physical fitness, having skated in all three previous arenas, he was the first to donate to the new KMCC arena. He was honoured to carry the Olympic Torch through Berwick in 1988 and to be awarded the Nova Scotia Volunteer of the Year Award for Berwick in 1998. A loving and humble gentleman, John was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, who always put his family first. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up and felt pride in their accomplishments but was most proud of the people they have become. John was predeceased by his wife, Anita (Pineo) in 2007; sisters, Margaret "Marnie" Bethune and her husband, Rod; Jean Gillis and her husband, George; Pauline Gregg and her husband, Donald; son-in-law, Joseph Burrell. He is survived by his children, Constance (John) Archer, Berwick; Paula Burrell, Montreal; John (Crystal) Hiltz, Halifax; Marsha (Tom) Easson, Berwick; Anna (Adrian) Page, Berwick; grandchildren, David (Leah) Archer, Jonathan (Karen) Hiltz, William (Jillian) Easson, Leanne Easson and Lauren Page. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jean Swindell and many nieces and nephews. The exceptional care that John received over the past few years from his special caregivers, Dorothy, Nancy, Faye, Mary Ann and Cindy, allowed him to maintain the independence he so desired and the ability to stay in his own home until a week ago. For that John was and his family is, so very grateful. The family would also like to thank Dr. Dickson, the palliative care team, VON Nursing, and the staff of Medical B unit at the Valley Regional Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion for John and his family. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A private family graveside service will be held in Berwick Cemetery on Monday, December 14; followed by a Masonic tribute service and memorial service at 2 p.m. in Berwick Baptist Church, 265 Commercial St., Berwick, Rev. Sarah Scott officiating. A reception will immediately follow in the church annex. Family flowers only, by request. Donations in memory of John may be made to Berwick Baptist Church, 265 Commercial St., Berwick, NS B0P 1E0; Berwick Food Bank, 162 Commercial St., Berwick, NS B0P 1E0 (902-538-1996) or a charity of one's choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca