HILDEBRANDT, John Casimir Hildebrandt

Husband, father, grandfather, friend, businessman, bushman, singer, storyteller, lifelong promoter of Barry’s Bay. John Hildebrandt passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, surrounded by family.

He leaves behind Beth, his beloved wife of 65 years; his children John, Jamie (Lori McRae), Stephanie (Mark Bain) and Lisa, and his niece Liz (who he thought of as his unofficial fifth child); his cherished grandchildren Conor, Eva (Zander McGillivray), Margo, Seona, and Jake; his sisters Adele, Vicki and Joan (Rand Dyck); his adoring nieces and nephews and a large extended family across Canada. He was predeceased by his parents Charlie and Veronica (nee Cybulski) and his sister Angela.

John was a larger-than-life presence whose charisma, mischievous sense of humour and vision left an indelible mark on Barry’s Bay and beyond. Known affectionately as “Big John from the Yukon” or “Johnnie”, John lived a life full of laughter, service, stories, and song.

Born in Barry’s Bay, John grew up in logging camps and hunt camps. As an adult, he continued his love of the great outdoors through hunting, fishing and camping.

As a young man, John briefly explored a life in the big city, but returned to help his father with the small family sash and door business. John rebranded and successfully grew that into J.Hildebrandt Wood Products which later became Madawaska Doors, a high-end door manufacturer with global reach. He earned respect for both craftsmanship and leadership and employed many in the community.

He also believed strongly in community service and cherished Barry’s Bay. He was elected to multiple terms as Mayor of the Township of Madawaska Valley, as a member of the foundation board for the St. Francis Memorial Hospital, and as a founding member of Zurakowski Park. From coaching hockey to teaching local kids how to fish, John’s sense of community was unwavering, and his and Beth’s home was always open to friends, family, and sometimes even strangers.

His voice often filled gatherings with renditions of Roy Orbison, Gordon Lightfoot and John Denver, and his annual “Celebrations of Life”—which he began hosting at age 50, often featuring the steel drums of Pan Fantasy—became legendary. His storytelling was legendary in its own right, enriched by his unmistakable and contagious laugh.

Family was at the heart of everything to John, and he treasured time spent with his beloved wife Beth, their children, and grandchildren, finding joy in watching them grow and sharing in their lives with unwavering love and pride.

The family extends our thanks to the many wonderful healthcare and hospice staff who provided excellent and compassionate care to John in his final months and days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the foundation for the St Francis Memorial Hospital Foundation: https://www.sfvhfoundation.com/ or Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care: www.mvhospice.ca

A visitation will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday September 18, 2025 at Heubner Funeral Home, 43 Stafford Street, Barry’s Bay. A funeral mass will be held at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church (live streamed via https://meet.google.com/wdc-pmbc-wks), 19450 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay on Friday September 19 at 3 p.m., followed by a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 406, 250 John Street, Barry’s Bay on Friday September 19 from 4:30 to 7 p.m.