Hugh M. Wilby; Retired Educator, Army Veteran

Hugh Melvin Wilby, a retired educator, died Monday in Ventura. He was 84.

Born Feb. 15, 1914, in Toronto, Wilby immigrated with his parents to the El Centro area of the Imperial Valley in 1922. In 1935, Wilby moved to Upland, where his father grew citrus trees.

Wilby served as a U.S. Army captain from 1940 to 1945. His duties included overseeing the transportation of troops, which allowed him to make several transatlantic crossings, said his son, Joseph Wilby of Ventura.

Wilby was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for bravery while serving aboard the USS Athos, his son said.

Between 1949 and 1960, Wilby worked as a teacher, administrator and superintendent for school districts in Claremont, Calipatria and Palmdale.

In 1960, Wilby left education to work for the Presbyterian Church and that year he helped open and manage the Royal Oaks Manor retirement community in Duarte, his son said.

Wilby moved to Ventura in 1964, where he became the first administrator of the Ventura Townhouse senior community, his son said.

After retiring in 1972, Wilby and his wife, Mary Eleanor, lived on their sailboat, Windora, and for five years cruised the Pacific coastline between Mexico and the Sacramento Delta, his son said.

Wilby moved to Oroville, north of Sacramento, in 1980, but returned to Ventura in 1995.

“The thing about my dad was he never met a stranger. Everybody who met him always remembered him,” said Wilby’s daughter, Mary Wilby of West Hollywood.

In addition to his wife of 58 years and his son and daughter, Wilby is survived by two other daughters, Sydnei Wilby of Aptos in Santa Cruz County, and Frances Wilby, of Utah; a brother, Frank Wilby, of Hawaii; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

There will be no services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any rescue mission. Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura assisted the family.