Dean Joseph Hodgson

HODGSON, DEAN: Dean Joseph Hodgson was born in the Sarnia General Hospital, the son of Jack M. and Blanche (Rollins) Hodgson on August 7th, 1933 and passed away on December 12th, 2018. Dean considered himself the Maple Leafs #1 fan. He also closely followed the Blue Jays, Lions and Tigers. Dean loved to skate and did so into his 80’s, walk, read and debate (about anything). Agriculture was his vocation and he farmed his own land from 1960 – 1990 but continued his interest in agriculture and drainage, especially Lambton County and the Rainy River District to the very end.

As a young man Dean worked with Marshall and Milway, Ontario Land Surveyors and felt the basics he learned in those years guided him through the many pursuits he followed in the rest of his life. Dean was involved in farm drainage for over 40 years (1962 – 2004) as an owner, operator and drainage inspector. Draining the land and solving problems was a passion. Farming, drainage and friendly people were the focus of his life and he attempted to enjoy every minute of every day. Dean always enjoyed the simpler things in life and so, as he said, “luckily never required much money”, though he never married he was always happy with whatever he had. Some of his happiest years (and toughest) were spent on his Emo cattle farm in the Rainy River District between 1978 and 1990 while paying 22% interest. At Emo he also served as municipal Drainage Superintendent for eight municipalities and enjoyed working with Councils and farm groups. Dean was also involved with Emo minor hockey for several years. During these years in the Rainy River District he often said he worked with, “some of the finest people in the world” who made even the cattle business seem enjoyable.

In his later years he was the author of several small books on Lambton County history. He considered himself an amateur historian and was a member of the Lambton County Historical Society for several years and the recently formed Sarnia Historical Society.

Dean was predeceased by his parents Jack (1974) and Blanche (1987), brother-in-law Ray Tomlin (2000), his brother John Hodgson (2012) and sister Donna Hodgson (2018). He is survived by two sisters Della Tomlin of Sarnia and Judith and her husband Geoff Sutherland of Kelowna, BC. He is also survived by Shelley, David and Dean Sutherland along with several other nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations made to St. Joseph’s Hospice or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the D. J. Robb Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (102 N. Victoria St., N7T 5W9, Sarnia). Memories, messages of condolence or photographs may be shared through www.djrobb.on.ca

“The family wishes to thank the entire staff at St. Joseph’s Hospice for their compassionate care and a special thanks to Jim Maw for all the help he provided us at this time”