James John “Jim” Millar

With profound sadness the Millar family announces the passing of our cherished family patriarch, loving husband, and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. After a courageous and multi-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Jim passed peacefully on December 21. Jim is survived by his loving wife Diane (Garrison) of 66 years and his 28-person family of children and their spouses and partners, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Jim is predeceased by brothers David, George, Robert and sister Betty.

Jim loved sports and participated actively throughout his long life, from the hockey rinks and baseball diamonds as a skilled player to his beloved days on football fields as quarterback for Delta High School, and later in life on golf course fairways where he recorded three hole-in-ones as an avid golfer.

Jim’s passion for sports passed onto his five children - sons Tom, Jim Jr., Mike, and Dan and daughter Shelley. He spent countless hours as both minor hockey coach and league executive as well as on-ice instructor with Joe Hagel Power Skating and Dofasco power skating schools teaching the next generation the finer skills of ice skating and love of hockey.

With his work life, Jim fulfilled numerous roles throughout a 35-year career with Hamilton steelmaking company Dofasco.

To our devoted father we say today our hearts are heavy and our thoughts filled with your loss, but in time we will get back up and in the game as you taught us. We will once again find special moments where we remember your actions, words and life lessons. We will find the many inspirations and gifts you left for us, with no gift as great as the chance to continue our journey along the path you made for us towards fulfilling lives guided by the values and morals you instilled in us. We are truly honoured and forever grateful. Lang may yer lum reek, our friend.

The Millar family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the many wonderful, kindhearted caregivers of Extendicare Hamilton for their compassionate and loving care.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation for family and friends of Jim will be Friday, December 29, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Markey-Dermody Funeral Home, 1774 King Street East, Hamilton. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 30 at 11 am in the Markey Dermody Funeral Home chapel.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Parkinson Canada and McMaster Children’s Hospital.