Willard Ghent
December 28, 2025
GHENT, Willard – Passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday, December 28, 2025 in his 81st year. Predeceased by his wife Dale Ghent (2008). Beloved father of Tim Ghent, Gary Ghent (Mary-Lynne Hambly), and Lisa Cooper (late Mike, 2020), all of Mount Forest. Cherished Papa of Jennifer Fryer, Dalton Heyden (Adrienne Biffis-Gonzalez), Brittany Ghent (Clayton Cotton), and Mason Cooper; and great-Papa of Landyn Heyden. Special friend of Kathy Morrison. Dear brother of Velma Smith (late John), Evelyn Dowling (Wayne), and the late Alan Ghent. Remembered by his neighbours Bev and Vera Collingridge, as well as many “garage” friends.
Willard worked at PUC as a Linesman until his retirement. During this time, he also served for 40 distinguished years as a volunteer firefighter with the Mount Forest Fire Department. He was a proud member of the Mount Forest Kinsmen Club and the Royal Canadian Legion. Willard’s hobbies included tending to his beloved pigs on his hobby farm, morning coffee with friends, daily joy rides around Mount Forest, and many cherished fishing trips with family and friends.
Visitation will be held at the England Funeral Home, 294 Main Street South, Mount Forest, on Friday, January 2nd from 2:00-4:00 p.m., where the funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 3rd at 3:30 p.m. Following, all are invited to the Royal Canadian Legion, Mount Forest Branch 134, for refreshments and a light lunch. Cremation will follow with inurnment at Mount Forest Cemetery. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Willard are asked to consider the Mount Forest Fire Fighters Association or the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation. Donations and online condolences may be made at www.englandfuneralhome.com
Condolences
I was shocked and saddened to hear that Willard had passed away. I found out from Brad Ghent and my mother Elizabeth Ghent (wife of the late Alan) while they were visiting us here in England over Christmas. I met Willard when we visited his home in October last and then again at the wedding anniversary party later that week, where I took a nice photo including him and his sisters and my mother. I couldn't believe it when Brad said he had suddenly passed away. He was such a nice older guy to me and I enjoyed meeting Alan's younger brother. It was a pleasure to meet him at his home and later. My sincere condolences to Willard's family and friends. I was so impressed at his decades of service as a fire volunteer. RIP
— David McGeachie, London, England, January 8, 2026My condolences, Evelyn and family. It sounds like you will have lots of wonderful memories of Willard. One of the best memorials we can do is to keep talking about our loved one!
— Claudette Stevens, January 4, 2026Tim Gary Lisa our thoughts and prayers with you at this time of sorrow. Willard was a good neighbor and friend . He will be missed . Doug & Brenda Hawkrigg
— Doug Hawkrigg, January 3, 2026So sorry to hear of your loss
May all your memories give you comfort and peace
Sherry Kerr
Tim, Gary, Lisa and families.
Very sorry for your loss. My thoughts & condolences to you all.
I always enjoyed shooting the breeze with Willie up at the French River. Lots of laughs!!
Rest easy Willie.
My condolences to the Ghent family
— wilson schwindt, January 2, 2026Thinking especially today of you all as you gather and share memories of Willard. Unfortunately weather and distance does not permit in person greetings. To Evelyn and Velma, my sincere condolences on the death of yet another sibling.
To the Ghent family, condolences on the loss of Willard. Fond memories of fishing with him at Bluffy Lake, Lake Ontario and our Friday evening euchre games. May you be spared further sorrow.
Tim, Gary and Lisa.
Your dad was such a big part of our coffee group. We shared so many great stories and laughs. He will really be missed by all of us in the group.
Our deepest sympathy.
Tim, Gary, Lisa and families
Our deepest condolences to all of you. Lots of memories through Kinsmen, firefighters, fishing trips, and most recently morning pickups taking Jim to the coffee get-togethers. Treasure your memories with your dad and grandpa.
Jim and Ruth
So sorry for the loss of your Dad, I have many wonderful memories of fun times together with our families
Dianne
Tim, Gary and Lisa and families my sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad,Grandpa.
— Sharon Wilson, December 31, 2025Sorry for your loss did know the gentleman but met and worked with Tim God bless
— William and Courtney collingridge, December 31, 2025Our condolences to all of the Ghent family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. And may you sense God's love and care for you during this time of sorrow.
— Les & Carolyn Martin, December 31, 2025To Evelyn, Wayne, and the Ghent Family.
Words of sympathy feel inadequate in expressing grief and sorrow for a loss so great as a brother, Willard.
Sending a warm embrace and all our support during this sad time.
Brenda Rich and Richard Agnew
My condolences to Willard"s family. I fought fires with Willard years ago.
— Pete Forsey, December 31, 2025Dear Gary, Tim, Lisa & Cathy
We were so sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Willard.
We have so many great memories of times in the garage with friends.
I cherish the fishing trips we took to Alaska and also to the Green Wilderness Lodge
A friend that will be deeply missed
Linda & Lorne
Our sincere sympathy to the Ghent family
Brian & Tamar
Our deepest sympathies to the Ghent families. Brad and Cathy Schwindt
— Brad Schwindt, December 31, 2025Tim, Gary and Lisa I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My condolences
— Sue Kirkpatrick, December 31, 2025Tim, Gary and Lisa sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Condolences
— Ken and Karen Thompson, December 31, 2025Tim, Gary, Lisa and families.
So sorry to hear about your Dads passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To all of Willard's family. Our sincere sympathy on the passing of your Dad and Grandpa. What a great guy. He will be really missed.
— John and Phyllis Flanagan, December 30, 2025To all of Willards family. We are so sorry to hear of Willards death. He and I grew up close to each other and have lived near each other most of our lives. We send our condolances to all of you. Its getting that I dont want to look for obituaries as Willard is the third cousin that we have lost in one month.. We are sorry that we cannot attend his funeral , but our poor health prevents us from travelling, Bruce and Paula Ghent
— Bruce & Paula Ghent, December 30, 2025Please accept our sincere sympathies for the loss of Willard.
Gary and Marg Daniels
Tim, Lisa and Gary so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Our condolences to your family.
— Mary and Paul Dowling, December 30, 2025Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Wayne and Sandra Lytle *
— Wayne and Sandra Lytle, December 30, 2025Dear Evelyn & Wayne...Extending our deepest condolences as you mourn the loss of your dear brother Willard. Trusting that our LORD will sustain you in this time of grief. Blessings jim & corrie
— James W. MARTIN, December 30, 2025Tim, Gary, Lisa, along with your families, I’m so sorry for this unexpected loss to you all. I (Michele) had the privilege of living around the corner from your Dad for a year, and would sometimes bump into him at the mailbox, or enjoying a chat with Bev and Vera. We almost always got to fishing, because it was such an enjoyable pastime for him. I enjoyed chatting with him also during my time at the greenhouse when he’d come to get his summer baskets. It’s been a difficult year of loss in the Ghent family and our hearts are alongside yours as you journey through this loss. Hugs for all your hurting hearts.
— Michele & Mark Hillis, December 30, 2025Evelyn and Wayne
My deepest sympathy at the sudden passing of your brother! God understands!
Wilma Groff
Gary, Tim, Lisa and family - We are so very sorry for your loss. Willard was a very friendly guy and I know my dad really enjoyed working with him at the PUC and always spoke very highly of him.
— Jim & Kim Stewart, December 30, 2025Our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Take time to reflect on all your amazing memories. Wendy (MacEachern)& Carl Abbott
— Wendy (MacEachern) & Carl Abbott, December 30, 2025RIP Willard. Condolences to the Ghent families
— John Schmidt, December 30, 2025Condolences to Willard's family. Thanks Willard for some fond Township memories
— Gary Williamson, December 30, 2025My condolences to Willard family …
I remember from years ago Willard and Patti
Judged our Miss Fergus Firefighter Pageant
A couple of times..
Susan Hiller
Fergus Fire Dept
My condolences to Gary, Tim, Lisa and to the Ghent family on your loss.
— Hugh Perrin, December 29, 2025Tim, Gary & Mary-Lynne and Lisa,
Sending our sincere condolences on the passing of your Father. Cherish the memories.
Wilma and Brenda Wollis
Our deepest sympathies to the Ghent family during this difficult time. Brad and Cathy Schwindt
— Brad Schwindt, December 29, 2025Tim, Gary, Lisa, Evelyn, Wayne and families.
So sorry to hear of Willard's passing. We had many good times together. Sending our love and prayers to each one. Garn and Barb
My deepest sympathies to your family.❤️
— Debbie Aitken, December 29, 2025Tim, Gary, Lisa, Dalton, Mason and Landyn and families
Please accept my condolences to all of you on the passing of your father, grandfather and great grandfather. Willard was a wonderful man. May you all be able to find some comfort in all the wonderful memories created with him over the years.
Sincerely,
Michelle, Jocelyn, Curtis, Taylor and families
Sincere condolences to Lisa, Tim, Gary and Mary-Lynne and Kathy. Also to all the rest of the family. I have many fond memories of Willard from the Fire Hall and Wellington North Power where we worked together . He was an awesome guy.
— Ruth Truax/Rick Young, December 29, 2025