February 24, 1929 - February 10, 2023
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Hugh Rowlinson on February 10, following a stroke, two weeks short of his 94th birthday. Hugh died at a time of his own choosing, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born in Hanforth, England in 1929 to Frank and Frieda Rowlinson. He obtained his B.A., M.A. and finally his D.Phil. at Oxford University in chemistry in 1953, and did post-graduate work at Northwestern University and with the National Research Council in Ottawa. He remained in Canada, and had a long career at C.I.L. as an industrial chemist and, later, as VP of the Plastics Division, and VP of Research and Development. He retired in 1988, and was active as a volunteer, serving as Chair of the Canadian National Committee for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, as a missionary in Honduras for the South American Mission Society, as a hospital visitor in every community in which he lived, and in soup kitchens. While at Oxford, Hugh joined the Oxford Sailing Club, meeting his future wife Elizabeth on a club cruise. They were married in 1953, emigrated that same year, and on his taking up his position at C.I.L., settled in Mt. St. Hilaire, Quebec. They lived there until 1978, and subsequently in Toronto and Orillia Ont. When he arrived in Canada, Hugh immediately took up skiing, a passion that he shared with all three of his sons. He was a lifelong sailor, racing and winning championships at the Valcour Yacht Club, the Barrie Yacht Club, and the Champlain Sailing Club. Elizabeth predeceased Hugh in 2020. He is deeply missed by his sons Matthew, Andrew, and Mark, by their partners Sasha Torres, Estelle Senécal, and Gail Misra, and by his grandchildren Tom (Aditi) and Leah. On Hugh’s behalf, the family extends thanks to the staff at Leacock Retirement Lodge, Orillia, where Hugh and Elizabeth moved in 2015, and the nurses and physicians who looked after him at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will take place at St. James Anglican Church Orillia, at 2:00 p.m. on March 4th, 2023. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Hugh’s memory may be made to St. James Anglican Church Orillia, Amnesty International, or a charity of your choice. Messages of condolence are welcomed at www.mundellfuneralhome.com