Obituary of Walter Jacob Hachborn

Hachborn, Walter Jacob July 24, 1921-December 17, 2016 Walter Hachborn of St. Jacobs, Ontario passed away peacefully on December 17, 2016 at the age of 95 years. Walter was born in Conestogo. He married Jean Marie Brown on September 20, 1947. She predeceased him on December 26, 2014. Devoted father to Susan Heard (David), Elizabeth Hachborn (David Courtnage) and Bill Hackborn (Aruna Srivastava). Loving grandfather of Brandon Huehn (Kelee Wright), Meghan Huehn, Daniel Hackborn (Samantha Pearson), Philip Hackborn, and Beyata Hackborn, great-grandfather of Aria Huehn, and brother of Lorraine Mahn. Lovingly remembered by Jean’s family—sisters, Betty Gingrich, Carol Stortz and Sandra Rohr (Clinton), brothers, Jack Brown (Helen), and Bill Brown (Joyce), and sister-in-law, Mary Brown—and by his many nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents William and Florence (Ritter) Hachborn, father-in-law and mother-in-law William and Gladys (Hahn) Brown, brothers-in-law Jack Mahn, Clifford Brown (in infancy), Howard Brown, Cyril Stortz, Gordon Gingrich, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ruth (Brown) and Wolf Fink. Walter was the co-founder and President Emeritus of Home Hardware Stores Limited. His combination of business acumen, work ethic, ingenuity and kindness, have inspired thousands over the course of his distinguished career and has helped establish Home Hardware as one of Canada’s most admired corporations: he will be greatly missed by the Home Hardware family. He was well-known locally, nationally and internationally as an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He was a long-time, active member of St. James Lutheran Church, St. Jacobs, serving the local and wider church in many capacities including involvement on the Board of Governors of Wilfrid Laurier University (formerly Waterloo Lutheran University). He assisted with a Habitat for Humanity build project with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and volunteered nationally and internationally with CESO (Canadian Executive Services Organization). He received many recognitions for personal and professional achievements: the Order of Canada, the Queen’s Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, the Retail Council of Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Canadian Hardware Retailer of the Century, Honorary Doctor of Laws from Wilfrid Laurier University and his recent induction into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. Two days of visitation will occur: Tuesday, December 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur Street South, Elmira; and Wednesday December 21 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Home Hardware Stores Limited (Henry Sittler Building), 34 Henry Street West, St. Jacobs. The funeral service will be held at two locations: St. James Lutheran Church, St. Jacobs, and livestreamed to the Henry Sittler Building at Home Hardware, on Thursday, December 22 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow at Home Hardware. Interment will take place at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery, Conestogo. In lieu of flowers, donations in Walter’s memory to St. James Lutheran Church, St. Jacobs, the Walter & Jean Hachborn Award of Distinction for MBA students at Wilfrid Laurier University, or Habitat for Humanity Canada would be appreciated. Information about condolences, donations, and a livestream of the funeral service may be accessed at www.WalterHachbornMemorial.com