DOUGLAS W. HILLAND

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DOUGLAS W. HILLAND, Q.C. 1924 - 2005 Douglas Warren Hilland, Q.C. of Calgary and Canmore, AB, began his final journey on January 22, 2005 from Canmore after a long struggle with cancer, with the support of family members and his dear wife and partner, Ruth (nee Lindal). Douglas leaves his wife and companion of 55 years, whose valued support was key to completion of his studies at the University of Manitoba and any subsequent success during his early years in the oil industry in Trinidad and later. He is also survived by his sons, Douglas M. (and wife Teresa) of Calgary, John of Calgary, and Bruce (and wife Nancy) of Surrey in the United Kingdom. A special place in his life was reserved for grandchildren, Jamie and Stuart, and Lauren, Jack and Taylor. Douglas leaves his own family members which include brother James of Roblin, MB; and sister June of Victoria, BC as well as a number of nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins in Minneapolis, USA and Northern Ireland. Douglas, a man of quiet faith, who always supported the Anglican Church, was born in southern Manitoba on St. Patrick's Day, 1924, and followed his railroading father to live in Ireland and various Manitoba towns until he joined the RCAF in 1941 at the age of 17. After service in Canada and the United Kingdom, in October, 1945, he returned to Manitoba as a student at a Veteran's School and then United College in Winnipeg. Douglas graduated (with honours) from the Manitoba Law School and was called to the Bar of that province in 1950. His professional career commenced with employment in the oil industry in Alberta and included an assignment with a Chevron subsidiary corporation in Trinidad, West Indies. Douglas was called to the Bar of Alberta in 1957 and spent some 32 years in the practice of law, as well as being associated with the oil industry in Calgary. During his legal career, Mr. Hilland was a long time partner of McLaws Company and retired from the firm Ballem McDill MacInnes in 1989. Douglas was appointed Queen's Counsel by the Province of Alberta and was a Life Member of the Canadian Bar Association. In the field of public service, Douglas was Vice-President, West of the Canadian Ski Association and a member of the Canadian National Council for Fitness and Amateur Sport, as well as Past-President 102 Branch, Royal Canadian Legion, and Past-President of The 400 Club, Calgary. Douglas was an active Liberal while at University and subsequently in Calgary. For many years he was a strong supporter of the Reform Party of Canada and was one of its founding members. Douglas was a past director or officer of a number of public resource companies and was a founding director and later, President of Rio Alto Exploration Ltd. He is a former active member of the Al Azhar Shrine Mounted Patrol and a member of Lodge Renfrew of the Masonic Order in Calgary. Since becoming a resident of Canmore in 1987, his greatest satisfaction and enjoyment of semi-retirement came from hiking in the Rocky Mountains. During a busy professional and business career, he was always a keen outdoors man, skier, hunter and fisherman. This led to his becoming a practicing naturalist and strong supporter of conservation as well as the protection of wildlife and the environment for future generations. He will be missed by his hiking partners and a wide range of friends in Canmore and Calgary. The family wish to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Cindy Mylrea of Canmore, for her devoted care during a long struggle with cancer. Sincere appreciation is also extended to Dr. J. Warshawski, Calgary, and to the nurses from Community Care, Canmore. Funeral services will be held at St. Michael's Anglican Church, 709 - 7 Street, Canmore, AB on Thursday, January 27, at 1:30 p.m. followed by interment in the Royal Canadian Legion Field of Honour, Canmore, the Venerable Barry Foster officiating. The family would be grateful if, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes be made directly to The Salvation Army (#822 - 420 - 9 Ave. SE, Calgary, AB T2G OR9) or Ducks Unlimited (PO Box 1160, Oak Hammock Marsh, Stonewall, MB ROC 2ZO) BOW RIVER FUNERAL SERVICE assisting the family. Telephone (403) 678-4880 for further information.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 26, 2005