Nelson Clarence Hilborn

It is with great sadness that the Hilborn family announces the sudden passing of Sgt. Nelson Clarence Hilborn on Friday, December 11, 2015. Nelson passed away peacefully at 91 years of age at St. Luke’s Place.

Born to Clarence “Pat” and Eva Hilborn on January 28, 1924, Nelson grew up in Preston and was a lifetime resident of Cambridge, Ontario. In 1939 at the age of 15, Nelson joined the Highland Light Infantry. He was deployed to Northern Scotland for training in 1941. His tour included Northern Scotland, England, France, where he landed at Juno Beach on D-Day and Holland, where he participated in the Liberation of Holland. He was a proud Canadian and enjoyed participating in regular legion activities.

In 1945 he married Doris (nee MacAvoy) in England, they returned to Canada, and they went on to have five children. Nelson was a member of the Preston Rod and Gun Club, Preston Legion, and was an avid golfer and outdoorsman, who enjoyed camping in Algonquin and staying at his trailer. He spent 18 winters in Florida with Doreen.

Nelson was a career union representative for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He was past President of the Ontario Provincial Labour Council.

Nelson is predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Eva Hilborn, his twin daughters, Eva and May, who passed in infancy, his wife Doris (1973), and his second wife, Doreen (nee Cherry, 2009). Nelson is survived by his children Doris Orton (Stan, 2013), Linda Fowlie (Danny), and David (Mary Anne), and his brothers, Allan and Robert. Nelson leaves behind eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends will be received at the Barthel Funeral Home, 566 Queenston Road, Cambridge (519-653-3251) on Wednesday, December 16th from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The Funeral Service to celebrate his life will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church, 567 Queenston Road, Cambridge on, December 17th, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Interment at Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in Nelson`s memory to the Cambridge Memorial Hospital - Medical Day Care Clinic through Barthel Funeral Home (519) 653-3251.