Mr. Donald Maurice Millar

Donald Millar was born in Glenavon, Saskatchewan, July 30, 1918. At age 6 his family moved to Elkhorn, Manitoba. Later they moved to Vancouver and lived on Columbia Street near Marine Drive. When Don was about 12 years old, his parents got jobs at the gold mines in the Yukon so Don and his siblings were farmed out to different foster homes. Don lived with Mr. & Mrs. Roberts who lived just down the street from him so he was able to stay in the same neighbourhood.

Later he also worked in the gold mines in the Yukon before becoming a millwright at Anderson’s Bros. near Marine Drive & Ontario Street. When the sawmill closed, he finished his 44 ½ year career with I.M.W Construction.

The love of his life, Joyce Wells, lived on the same street so it was kismet that they should start dating in 1939 and later marry on April 12, 1941.

Later that year Don joined the Canadian Army and trained in Vernon, BC. Later he was stationed at Shilo near Brandon, MB and worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant before being discharged on Sept. 10, 1944.

His first daughter, Donna was born May 13, 1942 went with them to Brandon where they met many life long friends.

On April 24, 1946 their second daughter, Rosemary, was born to complete their little family.

Don built their house on Logan Street in Marpole where they would live for many years. In 1966 they sold their house to make room for apartments that were to be built on Logan Street. Their new house was on East 48th Ave. near Killarney High School and community centre where Don lived until 2014 when he sold and moved into Shannon Oaks an independent living senior’s home.

On Sept. 21, 2011 Don lost the love of his life, Joyce, just 5 months after their 70th wedding anniversary.

In February, 2015 Don sold his house and moved into Shannon Oaks Independent Living card home where he was very active by taking part in many of their activities, bus trips, etc. He was loved by the many residents and staff.

He was an active member of the a Royal Canadian Legion branch 179 on Commercial Drive for 66 years.

On August 13, 2017, Don was taken to Burnaby General Hospital where he was diagnosed with a perforated bowel. He opted for the surgery to fix it but his aged body was just not able to heal post-op.

He will be missed by all of his family he left behind, children, grand children, great grand children and 1 great great grand son.

RIP

Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Burnaby, BC.