The Venerable Archdeacon Peter Elton Millen

Peter was born in London, Ontario on September 19, 1932, and grew up on a farm near Dorchester. In 1957, he graduated from the University of Western Ontario (B.A.) and received a Licentiate in Theology from Huron College. He was ordained as a deacon and priest in 1957. In his almost 67 years as an ordained minister, he served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Calgary: Stettler/Castor/Coronation, Lacombe, Red Deer (St. Luke’s, and St. Leonard’s), Hillsdown (St. Paul’s), Crowsnest Pass (Coleman, Blairmore and Bellevue), Bowness (St. Edmund’s with Holy Trinity Montgomery), Banff (St. George in the Pines), Canmore (St. Michael’s), Calgary (St. Michael and All Angels, and Holy Cross) and in Saskatoon (Christ Church). He also did a parish exchange in England for one year (Lancaster) with his family.

During his ministry, Peter was Regional Dean of Calgary and Palliser, Archdeacon of Bow Valley and the Diocesan Registrar. He retired in 1998 but was “re-treaded” as an interim priest in Calgary at St. Stephen’s Church in 1999 and at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (Sundays over 28 months, 2000-2004). Following this, he continued to serve with the Holy Cross ministry team. Peter had a knack for remembering names and events and could connect with people even years after they met. He regularly visited nursing homes and shut-ins and shared communion with them. He was a mentor and friend to many clergy during his ministry.

Peter and his wife Anne were married in London (1959) and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 27, 2024, in Calgary. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He steadfastly supported Anne in her teaching career. Summer holidays were usually camping trips, first in a tent, and later in a tent trailer. Explorations were mostly in western Canada, but there were several cross-country road trips to visit family.

Peter was community minded. He served on the Banff town advisory council and his work was instrumental in setting up supports and shelter for the transitory population and others in need. In all his parishes, he always provided food and counsel for anyone in need who stopped by the Rectory or the church. After he retired, he and Anne hiked weekly with the Second Sixties Outdoor Club, enjoying the trails and adventures, and became a hiking coordinator and eventually President of the club, for which he was awarded a lifetime honourary membership.

Music accompanied Peter’s life, and there was usually a radio playing in the background when he was around. He played guitar, sang lead tenor in a high school musical, accompanied family singsongs on his guitar, and provided strong singing leadership during church services. He nurtured the musical education of his children. Peter was a master gardener and took great joy in his colourful garden. He dabbled in pottery and woodworking, built a grandmother clock, and after retiring took up wood carving, especially enjoying camaraderie with his “carving group”. The life-like birds he carved and painted are enjoyed by those to whom they were gifted.

Peter is fondly remembered and forever loved by his wife Anne, daughters Julia and Kathy (Rumen Slavkov), Grandchildren Chelsea Yaknovich (Lyndon), Geoffrey Saltys (Stefanie), Aria Saltys, and Nickolas Millen Slavkov, and son-in-law Harvey Saltys (Mona).

Peter was predeceased by daughters Lynne Millen and Joan Saltys.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at HOLY CROSS ANGLICAN CHURCH, 2828 – 19 Street N.W., Calgary, on August 7, 2024, at 10 am., with the Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson officiating. For those unable to attend in person the service was live streamed and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg8mwGoBfyM.

A private family ceremony for the committal of Peter’s ashes will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Peter’s name to Parkinson Canada (www.parkinson.ca) to support research into Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare, atypical Parkinsonism disorder. To direct donations to PSP research:

Send a cheque to

Parkinson Canada, 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316, Toronto, Ontario

with a note stating that the funds are for PSP research in memory of Peter Millen. If people wish a card to be sent from Parkinson Canada to the family, they will need to provide the family's address.

Call the Parkinson Canada office directly at 1-888-664-1973 and provide the same information.