Alex Tilley, the Canadian entrepreneur who created the iconic Tilley Hat and a line of outdoor and travel clothing, died from heart failure in Muskoka on Oct. 28. He was 87 years old.
Tilley founded Tilley Endurables, a Canadian-made brand known for its high-quality, water- and mildew-resistant hats, which became popular worldwide and were even supplied to the Canadian Armed Forces during the Gulf War.
He wanted to be known as “a good man who made a better hat.” He was beloved among many Canadians for his “persnickety” dedication to quality, his high standards in customer service, offering a lifetime guarantee on his hat and for his creative and humorous advertisements.
Born on January 8, 1938, in Mount Albert, Ontario, and raised in Kitchener and Sudbury, Tilley earned a B.A. in Economics and Psychology from the University of British Columbia.
Tilley spent 15 years as an art dealer in Toronto before inventing the Tilley Hat in 1980, which was inspired by the lack of a suitable sailing hats. His invention quickly became a global success.
In 2015, Tilley sold his company and retired to Muskoka, dedicating his time to travel, volunteering, and mentoring young entrepreneurs. He supported organizations including Rotary, Habitat for Humanity, the Canadian Cancer Society, and Save The Children, while inspiring business students with lessons from his own career.
Tilley was passionate about supporting his country, his community, and young entrepreneurs.
He demonstrated his Canadian pride by refusing to have his products manufactured overseas, which put a great cost to his bottom line.
Tilley would often speak to business students to inspire them by sharing his story of triumphs and challenges. He shared his mistakes and often said he “wanted to help them find their way.”
A family celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2026 on the water, honouring Tilley’s lifelong love of sailing and the outdoors. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends and admirers spend time outdoors, share stories, perform acts of kindness, and embrace life with curiosity and joy which are values Tilley lived by every day.
