KEVIN HILLMAN
A Big Soul Leaving a Big Legacy at CBU
"He was a young man taken away far too soon, who had an immense impact on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him," - Donna Hillman
On July 18, 2010, tragedy struck the Hillman family when the fifth generation of Hillman’s Transfer, Kevin Hillman, suddenly passed away at the young age of 28.
While the family was grieving, friends and community members established a scholarship in Kevin’s name at Cape Breton University. This act of kindness brought some light back to the family and now serves as a special way to remember him.
“As a child, Kevin was always a mama’s boy,” says Donna Hillman, Kevin’s mom. “We were extremely close, he never gave me any trouble and he had the best group of friends. We just always had a special bond that can only exist between a mom and her boy.”
Kevin was raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He never found an interest in sports but growing up around trucks was a different story. It was clear that he would be next in line to take over the family company.
“Kevin started working in the business when he was 13 years old, and he would help the guys in the garage cleaning trucks for a couple of dollars here and there,” says Donna. “He never had a job outside of Hillman’s Transfer and loved every minute of it – it was in his blood.”
“He never had a job outside of Hillman’s Transfer and loved every minute of it - it was in his blood.” - Donna Hillman
With his love of trucks and knowing that he would eventually take over the family business, it seemed inevitable that there would be a direct transition into the business from his high school, Sydney Academy. However, Kevin decided to further his education and attend CBU after high school. He needed to upgrade two of his classes, so he spent a semester back at Sydney Academy, and the following year, he was accepted into CBU’s Business Administration Program (BBA).
Kevin spent five years at CBU and worked extremely hard in his classes along with making incredible friends. He graduated in 2006, a very proud day for the entire Hillman family. Kevin was able to take what he learned in the business program and apply it into the everyday operations of Hillman’s Transfer.
Since the establishment of the Kevin Hillman Scholarship in 2014, more than $19,000 has supported CBU students, helping them achieve their goals of receiving a post-secondary education.
“Through the support of the Kevin Hillman Scholarship, CBU is able to offer two $2,500 scholarships per year to students who will be entering, or currently enrolled in, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, with a preference to graduates from Sydney Academy,” says Sara Salter-Burke, Development Officer, Donor Relations & Major Gifts.
“Students who receive these scholarships must demonstrate Kevin’s values of hard work and perseverance, which fall so close to CBU’s values. We are so proud to work with Kevin’s family on this award and help keep his legacy alive.”
Kevin’s mom hopes that the recipients of this scholarship will learn about Kevin’s love of CBU and his dedication and commitment to hard work and continue their own journey with these same traits. Kevin was a huge influence in his family’s lives and this scholarship is a testament to beautiful person he was.
To find out more about supporting Cape Breton University, visit