Thomas Vernon HILL

THOMAS VERNON HILL Tom Hill, aged 80, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on November 11, 2023. Tom was born at the Lady Willingdon Hospital in Ohsweken to parents, Alton 'Knuck' Hill and Daisy Johnson (Hill) on May 9, 1943. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Roberta; his dear sister, Rose Margaret; daughter, Jessica (Ian); and grandchildren, Daisy, Miles and Lyla 'Bird." Dear son-in-law to the late Phyllis Lickers (Keith); brother-in-law to Ron (Rebecca), Mary, Keith (Cathy), Mark (Linda), Constance, Kathleen and Dave (Barb); uncle, cousin and friend to so many. Tom will be remembered for his endless generosity, kindness, creativity and brilliant sense of humour. Tom was an accomplished and internationally recognized visual artist, curator, art historian, mentor, author, playwright and performer. He attended the Ontario College of Art and Design, and began his career as a champion of First Nations arts at the Expo '67 Indians of Canada Pavilion. Tom then went on to work at the National Gallery of Canada, the federal government and the Woodland Cultural Centre to curate numerous groundbreaking exhibitions and author countless papers and books, including Norval Morriseau and the emergence of the image-makers and Creation's Journey. Tom was one of the chairs and principal authors of the 1992 Taskforce on Museums and First Peoples, a document that redefined the relationship between museums and Indigenous peoples in Canada. In honour of his accomplishments, Tom was the recipient of many awards, including the Order of Ontario in 1993, honourary fellowships from the Canadian Museum Association and the Ontario College of Art and Design, the Governor General's Award for Visual and Media Arts, and an honourary doctorate from Wilfred Laurier University. Tom enjoyed digging in his garden, singing with Old Mush, cooking elaborate meals, travelling anywhere and everywhere, painting and spending time with his grandchildren. Please visit www.rhbandersonfuneralhomes.com for service details and online condolences. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Woodland Cultural Centre.