John Hill and his wife Marie and sons Jim and Gary, are lifetime residents of Collingwood.

John has participated in and organized many sports. He has also volunteered  and officiated for numerous sports and leagues.

The following is a list of his personal achievements:

1947……….Ontario Baseball Association Bantam Finalist

1947-48…….O.M.H.A. Bantam Group Champions

1953……….O.H.A. Jr. C Champions (beating Ingersoll 4-1 series)

1954……….Georgian Bay Sr. Boys Basketball Champs

1954-55…….Captain Jr. C Belairs- Won league over Midland Redwings 9-2.

1955-56…….Legion Sr. Town League Champs

Jan. 1956…..Received a letter for New York Giants to attend rookie camp in Melborne, Florida

1957……….Stayner Motormen O.B.A. Int. A Champions

1960……….Midland Indians O.B.A. Sr. A Champions-defeated Oakville

1964……….Orillia Majors O.B.A. Sr. A Champions

1968……….Tremont Hotel Blue Mtn. Fastball Champions

1969……….Orillia Majors. O.B.A. Sr. A Finalists

1972……….Orillia Majors O.B.A. Sr. A Finalists

1979……….O.A.S.A. Slo Pitch B Div. Champions, Canadian Mist

The playoffs provided John with the opportunity to lead his respective teams. As Captain of the Jr. C Belairs, John singlehandedly defeated Midland accounting for 5 goals/3 assists in final game.

On the ball diamond, it was during the 1960 O.B.A. Championship Series when John’s baseball talents were put on display as he played and excelled in three positions against Oakville – Pitcher, Left fielder and Catcher. Incredibly, John batted .419 throughout this playoff run.

He was a volunteer member of the Collingwood Recreation Board from 1967 to 1985 and served as its chairman for 6 years.  Working alongside Ron Ralph and Brian Sayer, John was  instrumental in organizing Slo Pitch in Collingwood.

-Pitch, Kinsmen Slo Pitch and Hockey Tournaments along with the Beaver Lumber Annual Oldtimers Hockey Tournament.

John was a long time member of the Collingwood Hall of Fame Selection Committee. His local sports history was often referenced by others and his stories always brought a smile. Until his untimely death in 2012, John was an active Director. The reprint of the 2012 Sports Hall of Fame book was the result of John’s passion to update the original 1978 publication.

He has coached minor hockey and baseball, and has also umpired in Fastball, Baseball and Slo Pitch.  He has refereed Little N.H.L., O.M.H.A. and O.H.A.

On January 1, 1988 the Order of Collingwood was bestowed on him, acknowledging his many years as a community volunteer.