JOHN HEMPHILL

Our family is saddened to announce the passing of Dr. John "JJ" Hemphill, who died on February 28, 2026, in his hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo, at the age of 93. John is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Jo Hemphill (née Dowswell); and his sons, Doug (Ellen), Greg (Debbie), and David (Martha). He was a much-loved Grandpa/Poppa to Sam and William; Dawson and Cassidy; and Jackson, Katie, and Ally. John was the only child of Jack and Rose Hemphill. Born in Kitchener, he loved everything about the twin-cities. He attended Elizabeth Ziegler Public School and Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate (KCI) and was both a camper and staff member at Camp Wabanaki on Georgian Bay. He graduated from the University of Toronto School of Dentistry in 1955, followed by an internship at Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York. John then returned to KW, where he practised dentistry for 45 years. He kept pace with new developments and innovations in the field and genuinely valued the day-to-day connections with his patients. JJ enjoyed many sports, but his favourite was skiing. While he loved trips to the mountains, he especially adored skiing at Devil's Glen, where he was an original member in 1965. Winters revolved around family and friends gathering at their chalet. He was especially buoyant on ski days, enthusiastically greeting others in the lift line, humming on the chairlifts, and skiing with unmistakable joy. No matter the conditions, he invariably declared it the "best day ever." John loved spending time with friends on ski and fishing trips, at Gyro, or at his poker club. He easily connected with others and was always genuinely engaged in their stories. Interactions with JJ were warm and encouraging, and he was widely known for his contagious optimism. He was deeply caring and affectionate with his family. His sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren experienced his loving attention, often accompanied by an arm over the shoulder while sitting together on a couch or riding the chairlift. At the centre of everything for John was Jo, the love of his life. Together, they had many adventures, and nurtured lifelong friendships. They enjoyed their shared time with their friends and family and cherished each other's company. Celebration of Life will take place at the Westmount Golf and Country Club, 50 Inverness Dr., Kitchener, on Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Remarks will be shared at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's honour may be made to the Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) or a Charity of Your Choice. Donations may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.