95 residing at Arbor Trails, Guelph, Ontario passed peacefully at the Hospice Wellington in Guelph on September 16, 2017. Aubrey was born on Nov 29, 1921 at Wellandale Farm, Welland Ontario to parents Cecil and Mae Hagar. Aubrey was the eighth of ten children. He was raised on the dairy farm, schooled in Welland and graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College in 1945. Aubrey had a passion for education and learning and this was evident throughout his personal and professional life. Aubrey’s professional career included contributions to Canadian Industries Limited, University of Guelph, Campus Co-operative, Conestoga College and Wellington County School Board as well as many volunteer and community organizations. He was respected and admired for his roles as a leader, innovator, mentor, teacher and counsellor by all who knew him. To quote Aubrey, he was “motivated by love and guided by reason”.
On May 17, 1947 Aubrey married the love of his life, June Beverley Roberts and they spent more than 70 years building a wonderful, inspiring life together. They travelled throughout Canada, US and Europe and enjoyed gardening, camping, hiking and learning about the places they visited. They attended First Baptist Church, and with friends loved to entertain, play bridge, golf and curl. When it came to his professional and personal activities, Aubrey always applied himself to become accomplished and he aimed for excellence in all that he did. He had a constant thirst for knowledge and never stopped striving to learn more about the world around him. He was a true intellect who enjoyed discussing original, thought-provoking ideas.
Aubrey is pre-deceased by all of his 9 siblings and his first grandson Nathan Joseph Healey (2009). He is survived by his loving wife June, his children Jeff (Wendy), Pam (Larry Healey), Blair (Gunta, who brought new children and grandchildren into the family), 5 grandchildren Deirdre (Shawn), Conor (Rachel), Matthew (Jodie), Meghan (Dan) and Sarah Jane (Reuben). These wonderful grandchildren enriched Aubrey’s family life with another 13 great grandchildren. Aubrey would often say how blessed he was with family.
In honour of Aubrey’s accomplished life, there will be a private Internment for the immediate family by Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel. Condolences may be offered through their website, www.wallcustance.com. Family and friends who have been touched by Aubrey are invited to a Memorial Service on Monday, October 2, 2017 at 12 noon with family visitation after. The service will be held at First Baptist Church, 255 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3V8. Donations and memorials can be made through the Wall-Custance website, designated to: Aubrey Hagar Award, Conestoga College, 299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener ON, N2G 4M4 or Ontario Agriculture College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph ON, N1G 2W1
A tree will be planted in memory of Aubrey W. Hagar in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 2:30 pm.