David John Hills
January 10, 1939 – May 17, 2024
David John Hills passed away suddenly on the evening of Friday, May 17th at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He had been hospitalized just over a week earlier.
He leaves behind his family: Wife: Mary Cathern Rodriguez Children: Sarah Louise Hills (Vedat Amasyali) (Istanbul, Turkey) Fiona Jane Hills (Ottawa, Canada), Kevin Joseph Rodriguez (d. Atlanta 2021) and Duncan William Hills (Cate Murray), (Ottawa, Canada).
Grandchildren: David Emre and Maria Merve Amasyali, Ashley Savoie, Keaton and Owen Hills and Lilly and Ellie Murray Sister: Stella Margaret Cragg (d. Bangor, Wales 2005) David was born just outside Manchester, UK and finished his BSc in Polymer Science at London, Southbank University.
At university, he was active in both rugby and rowing. After working at Shell Chemicals in the UK, he emigrated to Canada with his young family; first working for Dow Chemicals in Sarnia, Ontario.
David worked at various places in Canada and spent over 13 years working for Polymer International in Truro, Nova Scotia before settling in Atlanta, Georgia in 1989 with his wife and partner of more than 35 years Mary (Rodriguez).
David and Mary set up HilRod Consulting in Atlanta and David was very active in their Silver Lake Community. David was also extremely proud of their large, well-tended garden, which in his younger years he was very active in maintaining.
David enjoyed travelling to see family and friends. Over the years he traveled to many different places for both business and pleasure, including South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. He enjoyed visiting vineyards and learning about oenology on many of these trips.
One of his last big overseas trips was to celebrate the 80th birthday of his oldest friend, Michael Forth, in Cheshire, UK. David loved the water, and at different points in his life had sailing as a hobby. He also enjoyed reading and was an avid collector of trivia.
One of his favorite evening pass-times was watching Jeopardy on television and seeing if he could beat the competitor. David dabbled in writing poetry and prose. Some of his earlier poems were published and he also wrote a children’s book called Harry’s Adventures in Plugovia.
David enjoyed barbequing and was an excellent cook. David was cremated in Atlanta, Georgia shortly after his passing and his ashes will be scattered over water at his Florida home at a later date.
A celebration of his life will be held at his beloved Atlanta home and garden. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Emory University Hospital for the excellent care David received in his short stay there. Donations to the American Heart Foundation would be appreciated.
