Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Program

Thomas “Thom” Herrmann

July 18, 1943 – May 4, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share that Thomas “Thom” Herrmann passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026, in Guelph, at the age of 82.  He is lovingly survived by his wife, Carol Ann Herrmann (née Van Horn); his daughters, Krista and Annelise (Olivier); his cherished grandchildren, Keegan (Joseph), Rowan, Xavier, Tristan, and Zackary, as well as his dear brothers Robert and Paul.

Born on July 18, 1943, in Rochester, NY, Thom spent his early years in Rochester before pursuing his studies at the University of Tennessee. In the 1970s, upon receiving his PhD, he accepted a position at the University of Guelph, where he became a respected Professor of Psychology focusing his research in the area of neuro-science. Over the course of a meaningful career that spanned over three decades, Thom was admired by colleagues and students alike, having been awarded the distinguished University of Guelph Faculty Association Service Award in 2012 and the Medal of Merit in 2013 for his contributions to the university community. He remained at the University of Guelph throughout his entire career and, upon retiring, was named Professor Emeritus. After retirement, he continued contributing to the university through his role as a board member of the University of Guelph Retirees’ Association (UGRA).

Outside of his academic career, Thom was deeply committed to his community, known for his mentorship, community spirit, and involvement in youth-oriented programs. He generously gave his time to organizations including the Sertoma Club, the Lions Clubs International, where he served as District Governor of District A-15 from 1998–1999 and was an active member of the Guelph Men’s Club, always eager to contribute and connect with others.

Thom found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Above all else, he was a devoted family man and proud grandfather.  He loved cooking for family and friends, travelling, and watching baseball. A lifelong fan of the game, he also spent many years umpiring baseball, combining his love of sports with his sense of fairness and community spirit.

Thom will be remembered for his warmth, passion, generosity, intelligence and his love of storytelling and off-the-wall sense of humour. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, service, and love that will continue to live on in all who knew him.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel, 206 Norfolk Street, Guelph, on Saturday, June 6th, 2026, from 1pm – 2pm with a Celebration of Life service at 2pm, reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Thomas Herrmann in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

MARGETTS, Tracy Anne – Passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026.

She was the loved daughter of Gillian and Don Smith and Roger Margetts (dec). She will be lovingly remembered by many aunts and uncles; Jennifer and Paul, Tony and Elaine, Chris and Mike, Terry and Gayle, Brian and Cathy, Bet and Grant, Barb (Doug, dec), Sher and Doug, Rob and Terri, Heather and Pat, Mark and Sue, David, Tim (dec), and special siblings Selina, Jeannine, Kerry and Jim (dec).  She will be missed by many cousins and their families.

Tracy will also be fondly remembered by many friends at Community Living Guelph, where she attended for thirty years. Tracy was a very happy, outgoing person. She was able to make friends anywhere she went and always greeted her friends with a smile when she ran into them around town.

Cremation has taken place, no service will be held. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Tracy A. Margetts in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

Rev. Hendrik (Henk) Dykman
December 6, 1933 – April 29, 2026

It is with sadness Henk’s family announce his sudden passing with an advanced prostate cancer, diagnosed only 3 weeks ago. Deeply missed by his wife Lorraine, daughters Mindy (Andrew) and Dineke (Chris) and stepson James (Fernanda), grandsons Nathan (Erin), Ryan Kearns and Ryan Fisk (Cyla), nephews and nieces in both The Netherlands and Canada, and finally 2 great-grandchildren Claire and Wyndham, who will never really know him except for the stories of the joy he had in their arrivals.

In The Netherlands Henk was pre-deceased by four of his siblings. He is missed by his remaining brother Hans Dijkman, his sister-in-law Tini Moltmaker-Dijkman, and his brother-in-law Karel Rogosh.

Growing up near Zutphen, The Netherlands, his elementary school days were marred by the ravages of World War II. Living on the flyway of the Allies’ bombers headed to Germany, he learned to recognize any and every airplane flying. He studied horticulture before immigrating alone to the land of his Canadian liberators on August 1956, where he continued to study at UBC, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

The call to ministry of the United Church of Canada changed his plant science path into one of serving people. Ordained in 1965, his people path led him to Home Missions work north-east of Prince George, B.C., pastorates in Manitoba’s farmlands, and then more training to become a chaplain which brought him to Ontario in 1978 to serve a prison chaplaincy in Guelph’s former Guelph Correctional Center.

A peace and justice activist all his career, it was his letter to every parliamentarian considering abolishing capital punishment that was read into Hansard before the successful vote that ended that flawed practice in Canada.

In 1990 Henk began a second volunteer ministry to Canadian veterans and families of fallen soldiers, particularly the families of the 11 Canadians who died near his home during the battles for liberation that ended World War II. That ministry included building memorials in The Netherlands as well as inviting reconciliation with German veterans, a work for which he was honoured with The Netherlands Order of Orange-Nassau in 2012.

In Henk’s long retirement, he was able to continue his participation in gardening, birding, sports and music. We are grateful for his long and fruitful life.

Many thanks to all who cared for him in these last difficult weeks: Dr. Diaz, Community Paramedics, the emergency staff at Guelph General Hospital, and most of all Wellington Hospice.

Donations to Guelph’s Chalmers Centre or charities of your choice in Henk’s memory would all be appreciated.

The funeral service for Henk will take place at Harcourt Memorial United Church, 87 Dean Ave, Guelph, on Friday, May 8th at 1:30 pm, with reception to follow. To watch the service remotely, please use this link. A private internment will take place Saturday May 9th. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Hendrik J. Dykman in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

MERCANTI, Paul A. – It is with great sadness for everyone that Paul Andrew Mercanti of Elora, ON passed away peacefully on April 28, 2026, after years of fighting many health issues. He was a strong fighter all the way to the end which was truly admirable.

Paul (Bubbles) was born in Hamilton, ON to Frank & Elaine on February 3,1965. His Dad was the proud owner of Mercanti Auto Body.

Our fun Paul will be deeply missed by his loving wife Laurie Cowan, daughter Natalie (Noodle Bear) & wife Erin Gerard who have memories of an amazing father with fun & lots of laughter.

Siblings Debbie Pollice (Tony), Joan Mastroluisi (Nick), Dan, Adam, Pat (Diana), Marnie Yarema (Brad), Christopher (Cindy), all of whom will miss his contagious laugh, jokes & pranks.

Predeceased by his parents Frank & Elaine Mercanti and his sister Lynn.

He also had many nieces & nephews that he created many memories for when they were little.

Later in life Paul added 4 of Laurie’s daughters Jacinda, Miranda (Tyler), Natalie & Aislynn (Jack) whom they adore him.

Lastly are his little people that gave him a chance to relive joy & fun again with children that he was so great at making a connection with.  Emry & Arty (Natalie G) Rory, Quintin & Isla (Jacinda).

Paul’s friends Dave & Tony have wild memories from days gone by that will stick with them forever. Paul will be with his best friend Dean now to laugh with everyday.

Paul worked as a cement truck driver for Dufferin Concrete. He loved his truck & going to different jobs all day & drinking his coffees & listening to music singing every word of every song no matter what genre. He loved hard rock the best. During the winter months he worked for the City of Hamilton plowing snow with many adventures that go with the job.

Paul was an amazing Dad to Natalie as she grew up, going the extra mile for her & taking her to many fun places. He taught her to laugh, have fun, never sweat the small stuff & go with the flow.

His passions were simple, good food and lots of it, pizza & pasta were favourites. He loved movies especially Jason Bourne. Paul could remember every title and every actor say the one liners to go with them.

Later in life Laurie got Paul back into regular golfing using his Dad’s heavy, vintage, bright red leather bag with gold accents and clubs with a new driver! He got better and better and played until September when he had to quit. He curled with Laurie for one season and loved it, he thought he should be a skip instead of her. He was a quick learner and liked to be the best. Anyone who can juggle is proof.

A celebration of life will take place in the near future for close family & friends. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Paul A. Mercanti in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

HILBORN, Denise Marjorie – Of Fergus, passed away at Groves Memorial Hospital on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in her 95th year.  

Beloved wife of the late Eric Hilborn. Dear mother to Tom (Kathleen) Hilborn, Ron (Lorna) Hilborn, Jim (Jennifer) Hilborn, Jeffrey Hilborn, and Nancy (Brad) Wright. Loving grandmother to 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Daughter of Rose and John Wallace. Dear cousin to Annamarie Holtom.

Denise was a member of St. James’ Church in Guelph for many years before moving to Fergus and joining St. John’s Church in Elora. She helped with various church activities and was a member of the Knitters and Sewers Group. Outside of the group, Denise’s love for knitting continued. Over the years she made thousands of baby bonnets to donate to the Guelph General Hospital and Groves Memorial Hospital for the newborns that just arrived. Denise’s social circle also extended to her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, where she has been a member for over 60 years.

Denise was often described as “a real character”. Her fun and feisty spirit brought positivity to those around her, and she never let life get in the way of achieving her next goal. Denise cherished her family dearly and cared for anyone that came into her home, becoming a second mum to many of her children’s friends as well. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was eager to see the addition of a third great grandchild in the spring. Her love and support will be missed by all.

Cremation has taken place. A service will be held at St. John’s Church, 36 Henderson St. Elora, on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm. Reception to follow.   Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial contributions to St. John’s Church, The War Amps, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Denise M. Hilborn in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

PODRUBSZKY, Gabor – Of Guelph, passed away peacefully at Hospice Wellington on Monday, April 27, 2026.

Beloved husband of Patricia, loving father of Gabor Jr. and Gerry, and cherished grandfather. He will also be fondly remembered by his many friends and fishing companions.

Gabor found his greatest joy in simple pleasures-casting a line off the dock, spending time outdoors, and relaxing at Camp Ashtaboula with Patricia at their trailer. A devoted sports fan, he could often be found watching and cheering on his favourite NFL team. In his younger years, Gabor enjoyed playing both baseball and hockey.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial contributions to the Hospice Wellington would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Gabor Podrubszky in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

A tree will be planted in memory of Linda J. McDaniel in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.