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Hats Off: Legendary Alex Tilley Dies at 87

Photo by Hilary Clark Cole, Alex’s wife

November 6, 2025

For the boating community, the Tilley hat was literally a life saver and became a synonym weatherproof hat with a broad all round brim. Alex Tilley struck an important chord with floating, long lasting headwear long before your dermatologist scolded you to ‘wear a proper hat’ on the boat.

The Canadian entrepreneur who invented the Tilley Hat and a line of outdoor and travel clothing died October 28 of heart failure at age 87 in Muskoka, Ontario. Alex Tilley founded Tilley Endurables, which manufactured its products in Canada, sold worldwide, and supplied hats to the Canadian Armed Forces during the Gulf War.

The cat in the hat: Photo courtesy of Douglas Bradshaw (1985)

Born in Mount Albert, Ontario, raised in Kitchener and Sudbury, Tilley obtained his B.A. in Economics and Psychology at University of British Columbia. He moved to Toronto and worked as an art dealer for 15 years before inventing the Tilley Hat in 1980. Precipitated by his frustration with the lack of availability of a suitable sailing hat, his floating, water- and mildew-resistant, high-quality Canadian-made cotton hat became an instant success. In 2015, he sold his company and retired to his home in Muskoka, travelling and volunteering for various charitable causes including Rotary, Habitat for Humanity, and the South Muskoka Hospital Auxiliary.

Tilley wanted to be known as “A Good Man Who Made A Better Hat.” Beyond his entrepreneurial accomplishments, Alex was an avid sailor, a passionate traveller, and a lover of life’s simple, genuine pleasures. 

“Bonus” the moose was created by Gravenhurst sculptor Hilary Clark Cole. Bonus stood proudly outside the Tilley World Headquarters for many years. –Tilley collection (1992)

Tilley was passionate about supporting his country, his community and, in particular, young entrepreneurs. He demonstrated his Canadian pride by refusing to have his products manufactured overseas, at great cost to his bottom line. He volunteered extensively and donated to worthy causes including the Canadian Cancer Society, Street Kids International (now Save The Children), the Sir Edmund Hilary Foundation of Canada, and Rotary International. He often spoke to business students, inspiring them as he told his story of triumphs and challenges. He shared his mistakes and often said he “wanted to help them find their way.”

His endearing and quirky personality permeated Canadian culture for the 35 years he ran the company from its world headquarters in Toronto, where the hat factory was also located.

The company is currently owned by Toronto-based Gibraltar & Company, founded by Joe Mimran of “Joe Fresh” fame.

With extensive help and words from Nancy Beal, Alex Tilley’s biographer

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