Charles Hildebrandt

Charles Hildebrandt,
At Oakville Trafalgar Hospital , on April 17, 2012, Charles, aged 87, of suspected lung cancer (mesothelioma). A lifelong naturalist and conservationist, he emigrated from Germany in 1951, later opening Charles Hildebrandt Insulation Ltd., with offices in Toronto , Sudbury and Kitchener . He served two terms as a town councillor for Georgetown in the early '60s. Upon early retirement he gave his time to gardening, maintaining his 16-acre nature preserve, travelling, leading hikers & snowshoers through wilderness areas around the world, photography, writing, carpentry, and studying. He earned his B.A. when he was 79. He was learning Spanish, his 3rd foreign language, in his mid 80s.
Difficult for his family to love, he combined strict discipline with soft sentimentality. He was devoted to the care in her later years, of his wife Ursula, who pre-deceased him in 2007. He is survived by his daughters Barbara Jennings and Gloria (Mike Davis), grandchildren Donna Herold (Tony), Brit, Trent (Jackie) & Grant Jennings (Karen), great-grandchildren Paul, Niko, Brooklyn, Breeana, Fiona, and his little dog Thomas.
Burial will be on Fri. April 20 at 2 pm in Greenwood Cemetery . A celebration of his life will be on Sat. April 28, 2 to 4 pm at Jones' Funeral Home, 11582 Trafalgar Rd.
In memory contributions to Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy or Nature Conservancy of Canada would be appreciated. To send expressions of sympathy visit www.EscarpmentViews.ca.