Hilary David Sansoni

Passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Aged 72 years. Loved and Loving Father, Father-in-Law, Grandfather and Partner.

Forever in our Hearts

A Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Hilary Sansoni will be held at Golden Hills Brewery, 25 Station Street, Diamond Creek on Friday, August 7, 2026, commencing at 11am.

Please enter via Main doors on Station Street

Tributes

Sending Condolences to Hilary’s loved ones.

The talk of the Yellow Capri reminded me of the times Hil, John Whyne, Andree Jansz and I were young and dumb, making our way up to the ski slopes on the weekends.

We were fortunate to reunite later in life and reminisce on our younger days.

For Hilary …
Some people fill a room with noise.
You filled it with presence.
Before the first conversation had ended,
I knew there was something different about you.
Not louder.
Not greater.
Simply…
deeper.
You spoke as though every word deserved to be earned,
never hurried,
never wasted,
allowing silence to become part of the conversation.
Time itself seemed to slow
whenever you began to speak.
And people listened.
Not because you demanded attention,
but because your words carried the quiet weight
of a life honestly lived.
Over the past two and a half years,
between long phone calls,
shared pizzas,
and conversations that stretched far beyond the clock,
you became much more than a friend.
You became a fellow traveller.
Two men who often saw the world a little differently.
Who felt before they spoke.
Who noticed what others hurried past.
Who understood that sensitivity is not weakness,
but another form of strength.
There was comfort in knowing
someone else recognised that landscape.
You heard people.
Not simply their words,
but what lived beneath them.
You never rushed to fix anyone.
Never made someone feel broken.
Instead,
you opened the pages of your own life,
sharing your victories,
your failures,
your health battles,
your heartbreak,
and, most importantly,
the wisdom those struggles had carved within you.
You offered your stories,
never as instructions,
only as gifts.
And somehow,
through your quiet sincerity,
people found themselves choosing a better path.
That was your gift.
You never pushed.
You simply illuminated.
Family was your greatest joy.
Whenever you spoke of your children,
your grandchildren,
or those treasured gatherings at Christmas and Easter,
your face carried a contentment that couldn’t be manufactured.
Nothing mattered more.
You loved deeply,
and you let people know it.
You believed in men.
Not the masks we wear.
Not the armour.
Not the performance.
You believed in the possibility
that men could truly know one another,
stand beside one another,
and love one another
through honesty,
trust,
vulnerability,
and respect.
Through Common Ground,
you helped create that space.
A place where strangers became brothers.
Where judgement gave way to understanding.
Where lives quietly changed.
The ripple of that work
will travel much further
than you ever knew.
You championed people.
Not for recognition.
Not for money.
Simply because someone’s burden became lighter
when another person chose to walk beside them.
That was you.
Always asking,
“How can I help?”
Always believing
there was another life worth encouraging.
I often smiled at the little things.
How you looked younger than your years.
The earring.
The quiet confidence of a man
comfortable in his own skin.
To me,
there was even a little Harrison Ford about you.
Uniquely Hilary.
Entirely yourself.
From my own selfish heart,
I wish we’d had many more years.
There were more pizzas to share.
More phone calls to lose track of time in.
More hugs waiting at the beginning and end of every meeting.
I know you weren’t finished.
You still had plans.
Still had dreams.
Still had people you wanted to encourage.
Life simply had other plans.
But while your time ended,
your influence did not.
Every man you strengthened,
every conversation you slowed down,
every person you truly heard,
every life you quietly encouraged,
continues your work.
You made a difference.
You became exactly the kind of man
you hoped your life would become.
Thank you
for your friendship.
Thank you
for your wisdom.
Thank you
for showing me another way to love mankind.
You will never be forgotten.
And one day,
in whatever realm awaits us,
I hope to see you walking towards me,
with that familiar smile,
arms open for one more hug.
Until then…
Rest peacefully, my dear friend.
Love you, Hilary.

Hilary ( Toby);
May the gentle breezes and the soft, white snowflakes blow over you as you rest in eternal peace bud.
To Aban, Kale and the family my condolences. A fitting tribute to a truly amazing father and a ” giant” of a man.

Oscar Packeer

I knew Hilary from our work in Common Ground, an organisation dedicated to mens’ wellbeing. Reading through others’ tributes, common threads confirm the man I knew. Kind, thoughtful, caring, big hearted. I only met Hilary a couple of years ago but my encounters with him were short and deep. Enough to say he left a big impression and I feel genuine sadness at his passing. My deep sympathies to his loved ones.

We began our school days together, and even then you stood out — a natural leader, admired for your qualities, presence, and your style. That inspirational guy that we could all look up to and aspire to be.
Life took you in a different direction, to new horizons. Many years passed before we reconnected, thanks to social media. Still the same Hilary – gentle, warm, kind, compassionate and thoughtful.
We shared memories and chatted about old times. Sometimes we touched on more personal matters, but never quite delved deeper – glimpses of our journeys, pains and happiness, but much was left unsaid, always thinking there would be another time.
Sadly, that time never came. We never had the chance to meet in person, to share a true heart-to-heart, or to fill in the missing chapters of our lives.
Rest in peace, Hilary. You will always be remembered with warmth and affection.

I have only known Hilary for a short while, about five years, when he helped start MT65 in Sunshine. In all of that time Hilary was always a welcoming, smiling face who greeted the participants with a big hub and a “How are you mate?” He would give us a call just to check in with us. Certainly one of the most caring, compassionate people I have met. He was always a gentle man as well as being a gentleman. Hilary, there will always be a seat left for you at our table, we will miss you. Love from Tony Favier and all the MT 65 gang.

Hil, thank you for being such a special part of my life. You will always be remembered with love. The memories we shared will stay in our hearts forever.

With love always
Andrea, Mat, Nick and Cat Shand xxxx

I have known and been friends with Hilary over two distinct periods of time. Firstly, the Sri Lankan life, as a schoolfriend and fellow rugby player. Hilary being the captain of the under -15 team. I remember him as a team leader, softly spoken but when necessary wielding a stick. He had the ability to motivate people.
Then after a gap of 50 years we reconnected. We had much in common and talked about music, the care of plants and automobiles. One day, I remember him being lifted by listening to my son Gregory playing the piano for him, an old Scorpions number. Thank you WhatsApp.

Dedicated to doing good for his fellow human beings was the quintessential Hilary. May his legacy strengthen the bonds binding his family and many friends. He will not be forgotten.
Prith Peiris

In Loving Memory of Hillary Sansoni
We are sad to hear the demise of a truly remarkable friend, classmate, proud Royalist and Royal Sultanmate, Hillary Sansoni. .
Looking at Hillary, the first thing anyone noticed was his impressive, built frame—a presence that naturally filled any room. But beneath that strong exterior beat one of the kindest, warmest hearts you could ever hope to meet. He was a genuine gentle giant, always ready with a welcoming smile, an encouraging word, and an unwavering loyalty to his friends.
Hillary’s spirit is captured perfectly in the very last message he sent me. He wrote:
”Hi matey, how’s life so far… Hope you & your loved ones are travelling well my friend. Just perused your post – Genius! Stay well Cobber. Cheers, Hillary”
That was Hillary in a nutshell—thoughtful, uplifting, full of warmth, and always checking in on the people he cared about. He had a way of making you feel seen, valued, and supported, ending his words with that familiar, cheerful camaraderie that brought a smile to your face every single time.
To our “Cobber,” our friend, and our Royal Sultan brother: thank you for your warmth, your kindness, and the strength of your friendship. You left an indelible mark on all of us.
Rest in peace, Hillary. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.Shah Ozeer and Class mates of Hillary

Hilary and I were classmates from Grade 1 to 10 at Royal College in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Hilary was a scholar, sportsman, and gentleman.
May his memory be a blessing
Viresh Fernando Toronto Canada

Funeral Details

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