Hill, Robin
It is with heavy hearts that we share news of the death of our dear Dad, Robin Hill on Wednesday April 22nd at North Bay Regional Health Centre. While he had bravely faced health challenges of late, he passed peacefully into God’s care with family at his side.
Robin was born in Kirkland Lake in 1936. He attended Kirkland Lake Collegiate and Vocational Institute where he met Erma Critchley. Following graduation from the University of Toronto, he returned to Kirkland Lake to marry Erma and take a teaching position at his high school alma mater. He later assumed the role of head of the Math Dept. until he retired in 1993. He earned the respect of his students and his colleagues with his quick wit, his curiosity about people, his keen interest in sports and his commitment to fairness for all.
Robin and Erma raised four children: Liana (Mark) Lafranier, Shelah Hill, Ian Hill all residents of North Bay, and Lawren (Kathy) Hill of Carlsbad Springs. Robin is pre-deceased by his parents, Vera and Arthur Hill. He is survived by his sister Beryl (Clair) Pressey of Port Rowan and his sister-in-law Betty (Norman) Critchley of North Bay.
Dad is the treasured Grandpa Robin to 8 grandchildren and their partners including: Jordan Lafranier (Laura Roth) and Cara Lafranier (Cary Petersen), Heather Pickett and Dana Kondo, Adam Pickett and Lindsey Schneider, Ana Hill (Kevin Oh), Greg Hill, Curtis Hill and Robyn Hill. He is great-grandfather to James and Henry Pickett and Maeve Kondo.
Robin and Erma were proud owners of a cottage on Lake Seskinika where they spent many of their happiest times together hosting friends and family. In recent years Robin enjoyed the peace and beauty of Butler Lake. He picked blueberries every summer up until August 2025.
In retirement, Robin and Erma travelled extensively. They travelled from east to west across Canada and spent time prior to 2020 in Sarasota each spring. They enjoyed exploring Eastern Europe, England, the Galapagos Islands, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, Antarctica, southern Africa and the Caribbean. His last voyage was to Tulum, Mexico in November 2025 in the company of family and friends.
Robin lived life fully in service of others. He accepted leadership roles in both St. Peter’s on the Rock Anglican Church in Kirkland Lake and Christ Church Anglican in North Bay. He modelled generosity, compassion, commitment and gratitude. The Hill family is deeply grateful for the kind and empathetic care he received at the hospital and in the community.
The family will receive visitors at Christ Church Anglican at 312 Greenwood Ave in North Bay on Saturday May 16th, 2026 beginning at 12:00 pm with a mass to follow at 1:30 pm. In lieu of floral tributes, the family gratefully encourages support of the Canadian Cancer Society and Alongside Hope. Robin and Erma’s ashes will be committed to eternal rest at Kirkland Lake cemetery later in the summer. May they rest in peace. Arrangements entrusted to Martyn Funeral Home.
