Born January 8, 1935 to Margo and Tom Flatt in Fort St. John, BC.
Hilary will be dearly missed by his wife of 60 years Winifred, his three children Laurie (Rick) Janz, Sharon Flatt (Dave Jones), Grant (Nicole) Flatt, his four grandchildren Katlyn Hammond, Riley Janz, Emily Papp and Lawson Flatt, and his sister Phil (Vern) Churchill and numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased his brothers Mickey and Tony and his daughter Annette.
When Hilary was 9, his parents moved to the ranch close to Kamloops so their children could get a better education. After graduating from Kamloops High School, Hilary worked at the sawmill in Monte Lake until it closed in 1970 and then began to ranch full-time. He expanded the irrigation system and then began to expand his cow herd and then expanded his summer pasture to areas around Lumby and Big White.
Hilary and Win made numerous trips with Wells Gray Tours, including memorable trips to England, Canada's East Coast, and an Alaskan boat cruise. After moving to Holmwood in 1944, Hilary and his parents attended St. Peters Anglian Church in Monte Creek. Hilary continued to be involved with the church, whether it be construction of the new addition to the church, renovating the church hall, or serving on several committees. He also helped organize and maintain the Holmwood and the Monte Creek Cemetery.
Hilary will be best known as the man who loved to help others, whether it was moving hay, branding or fixing a building. He was always up for a card game, listening to country music or a good old country dance, cheering on the Blazers hockey team or just visiting friends and having a good chin wag.
Old ranchers never die, they just find greener pastures.
Ethel Fowles
Ethel Busch Ethel is also in the Kam High Staff List
