Sergeant David James Hillier #C89-223-716

Dave Hillier was born March 11, 1953, in Toronto.  During his high school years, he attended Winston Churchill Collegiate in Scarborough, attaining his Grade 13 Certification.  Upon graduation, Dave joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1971 in Toronto and was sent to CFB Cornwallis for Basic Training.  Upon completion of his Basic Training, he was sent to CFB Borden to complete his trade as an Aero Engine Technician.  In 1972, he was assigned to 417 Squadron and was transferred to Cold Lake, Alberta where he did aircraft maintenance.  In 1975, having secured a full-time position with Toronto Hydro as a Lineman, he got his release from the Regular Force and transferred to 400 Squadron Reserve Force.  During that time, he was sent to Flight Engineering School in Trenton.  In 1976, he became a member of the Search and Rescue Team with 400 and 424 Squadrons, alternating between Toronto and Trenton. In 1982, 400 Squadron re-equipped from fixed wing aircraft to rotary wing (helicopters) expanding his experience in flight engineering.  At the end of 1982, he ended his flying career, as Sergeant Hillier, and transferred to maintenance as a Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent and duplicated this role in 1989 with 411 Squadron.

He ended his career in the service in 1990.  During his 19 years of service, Dave served 2 tours in Baden, Germany, 2 tours in the Arctic and lived on a Canadian Air Force Base in every province in Canada. He received his Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) and Special Service Medal for his deployment to the Arctic and Baden, Germany.

Dave, although retired from the Forces, continued to serve, and eventually became Veteran Service Officer at Legion Branch 170, Uxbridge.  In addition, he was an original member of the Uxbridge Honour our Veterans Banner Committee and the Cadet Liaison Officer working with 76 Cadets out of Uxbridge.  

Dave was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer Dec.30th, 2019 and passed April 17th, 2020.  He received a military service and is buried in Beechwood Military Cemetery in Ottawa.

We thank him for his service.

We will remember them.