Obituary of Douglas Hilker

Douglas Hilker Douglas Hilker died peacefully and with dignity on the morning of Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Kensington Hospice at the age of 68. Doug was predeceased by his parents, Douglas and Helen Hilker and by his brother William (Bill) Hilker. He is survived by his beloved partner Simon Santamaria and the Santamaria family in Toronto and the Philippines, his dear niece Suzanne Hilker, his life-long friend Sandra Bogdon and a multitude of friends who mourn his loss. Doug savoured life. People were drawn to him in his professional life as an educator, whether they were high-school students he taught or teachers, consultants and EQAO colleagues he supported and inspired. In his personal life he was highly valued by his wide circle of friends, by elderly neighbours he cared for, by people he worked with on many theatre productions, and by new friends he met in Jordan and the Philippines where he happily spent much time after he retired. He was a loyal friend; a voracious reader; a thinker and debater; a "bon vivant" who took great joy in all things sensual; a listener who demonstrated empathy and understanding to all; in short, a prince of a man. During his struggle with bladder cancer, Doug faced the challenges of the disease with courage and determination. The family is grateful to the medical staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre who oversaw Doug's treatment from the time of his diagnosis, and to the staff at Kensington Hospice who, in his final days, were fully sensitive to his needs and wishes and gave him a sense of security and peace. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Doug's life will be held at the VAUGHAN ESTATE AT THE ESTATES OF SUNNYBROOK, 2075 Bayview Avenue in Toronto on Saturday, January 28th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tributes to Doug will be presented at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the following would be appreciated: Kensington Health Foundation (www.kensingtonhealth.org), Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation (www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation/), Flood Relief for the Philippines (www.redcross.ca-World-Philippines Typhoon) or a charity of your choice. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.