Robert was born in Sioux Lookout, Ontario to Albert Ernest Milling and Winnifred Mary Mae Milling (nee Rheault) on June 14, 1932. Robert is survived by the love of his life, wife of 64.5 years, Clara Merilyn Milling (nee Bruce), daughter Tannis Galbon (Mark), son Blair (Samantha), grandchildren Desiree (JF), Tyson (Leanne), Lena (Ray), Trevor (Mariah), and Jessica (Cole). Also left to mourn are his brother Dean, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Robert started his 46+ year career with the Canadian National Railway in 1948 at 14 years old, calling crews by travelling to their homes by bicycle. He was promoted to fireman in 1950 and subsequently became a locomotive engineer in 1958. In 1960, Robert and Clara moved from Sioux to Transcona where he continued running trains from Symington Yard. He rounded out his railway career at VIA Rail from 1991 retiring in 1994. Dad was passionate and proud of his time on the rails and regaled his family, friends (and anyone that would listen) with stories from his many miles at the controls of locomotives.
In his youth, Robert was an avid fan of Harley Davidson motorcycles and owned 3 different bikes on separate occasions. He stopped riding when he started a family and devoted his spare time to them and other hobbies, vowing to “get a Harley again someday.” That day came in his 86th year when he surprised us all by purchasing a Harley Davidson Electra Glide. Legend! He had some wonderful rides with his daughter Tannis and his son Blair for the next few years, hanging up his helmet in 2022 at 89 years old. Some of our best memories are seeing him on the bike with a grin from ear-to-ear cruising down the highway (and us trying to keep up!).
Some of his other interests included spending time with his family and savouring the elaborate meals he prepared for them; photography, tinkering with small engines, and building and flying radio control aircraft with his son Blair. He was a member of the Winnipeg Radio Control Club and spent hours out at the flying field socializing and flying his “Turkey 2.” He built numerous aircraft and mentored many new people into the hobby.
We would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Concordia Hospital who took care of dad in his final days as well as Dr. Hany Mansour for his compassionate care over the years.
Dad, we will love you forever and always. Thank you for everything you did for us over your life, and we will “catch you somewhere down the trail.”
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back…
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