Peter McMillan

Peter McMillan, 91 passed away January 22, 2018. Peter was one of 6 children by Ellen and John McMillan. The family emigrated from their home in Scotland for the opportunities in the US. On their way, they stopped in Ontario, Canada where Peter was born, December 17, 1926. Peter attended High School at Lincoln High School in Warren Michigan where he played football, basketball, baseball and ran track. He finished 2nd in the state 440 yard dash in his senior year. He graduated early and immediately joined the US Army to serve in World War II. After basic training, he was deployed to Guam to serve in the Pacific Theater. The war ended before he saw combat. After his discharge, he returned home and met the love of his life, Lorraine Gold. After six weeks of courtship they married in 1948. They remained married for 69 years. Peter attended Michigan State Normal College on the GI Bill where he ran track and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He taught High School at Warren Lincoln High School where he also coached football and track. He returned to Eastern Michigan University (Michigan Normal) where he earned his Master's Degree in Physical Education. A pinnacle of his career was highlighted in a 1974 Detroit Free Press article. He assisted a working class community (Warren) in getting a state-of-the-art, 2000 seat high school football stadium. He ended his career as Warren Lincoln’s Athletic Director. He was inducted into the Macomb County Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995. After retirement he moved to Desert Hot Springs, California with Lorraine, his two youngest daughters and built a family home. He returned to teaching at Palm Springs High School where he taught for 10 years. He played piano by ear, read every day, loved language and terrible puns. He influenced generations of young athletes and was respected and loved by his peers, students and athletes whose lives he touched. Peter had 18 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. In addition to Lorraine and his seven children, Michael, Gary, Patricia, Kevin, Kay, Colleen, and Kelly, he is survived by his brother, William. He will be deeply missed.