Toby James Hennigar, Wolfville, aged 39, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024 on the Amherst Shore.
Toby was born November 4, 1984 in Truro at the Colchester Regional Hospital.
He spent his earliest years in South Maitland, Hants County on a small farm on the Shubenacadie River, which had been a home to his family for over 200 years. In 1993 he moved to Port Williams, Kings Co. and developed an attachment to the area that prompted him to return to Wolfville permanently in 2013.
Toby was a gifted athlete and as a middle-distance runner he competed for the Annapolis Valley Track Club in Apeldoorn, Netherlands in a Youth exchange in 2000, and the Nova Scotia Provincial team at Canadian U18 championships. He also competed for Dalhousie University in Cross Country helping the team to a 5th place finish at the Canadian University Championships in 2004 and was one of the top runners in the Provincial Road Running circuit.
In recent years Toby developed a love of cycling and spent hours on local roads in the Annapolis Valley and along the Northumberland Straight enjoying the freedom and exhilaration of those rides, a cherished bond he shared with his brother Dan who rode with Toby whenever they spent time together.
Toby was an author and talented wordsmith and spent the last two years in total devotion to completing a novel, which he accomplished days before his passing. The themes of light, and hope, and optimism were prominent in his final work.
Known for a sweetness that shone through, and an unyielding strength, Toby was a unique and beautiful human; simplicity, complexity and intensity all rolled into one. His deep connection to nature in all its forms; sea, forest, constellations, and animals was felt by those around him.
Toby will be sadly missed by his mother Ann Hennigar of Amherst Shore, NS, his brother Dan (Maala) Hennigar of Ottawa, ON, his sister Heather Hennigar of Victoria, BC, his nieces Lilah and Anna, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his father Timothy Hennigar, his maternal grandparents Pauline and Jerry Hunter, and paternal grandparents Barbara and William (Bill) Hennigar, all of Amherst.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Jones Family Funeral Centre, 70 Church St., Amherst, NS (902-667-8777). Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 18 in Amherst Shore, Nova Scotia.
Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at www.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through the Jones Family Funeral Centre's Facebook Page.