In Loving Memory of Robert (Bob) McMillin

 

We are saddened to announce that on December 22nd our wonderful Dad, Papa, Great Grandpa and friend passed away peacefully at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital after a brief illness. We feel very fortunate to have recently celebrated Dad's 88th Birthday with him on December 11th. Left to cherish his memory are his loving children, Jan (Omiliano) daughter Maia, Toronto, Joanne (Bruce) children Morgen (Kirsi) Alliston, Kirsten (Marty) son Sawyer, Kenora, Jim, Penetanguishene, son Jamie. He will be greatly missed by his long time companion and special friend Celine Hanton and her family. Dad will also be fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews that he connected with often. Dad's greatest love was family, especially his grandchildren whom he loved to visit and was extremely proud of. The youngest of 5 children, Dad is the last to pass, being predeceased by parents Arthur and Mary McMillin, sister Margaret Young and brothers Daniel, Lorne, and Gordon. Dad was predeceased by his beloved wife Doreen of 47 years in 2001. Born in Treherne Manitoba he was proud to grow up on the prairies. Dad worked with his father at the Treherne West-end Livery. As a young man he worked as an apprentice electrician for McLaughlin Electric and also learned to work as projectionist at the Treherne Theatre. When he left Treherne he worked in Winnipeg at both Marshal Wells Hardware and the Film Exchange. Dad later ran the Roxy Theatre in Selkirk, MB. In 1953 Northwestern Ontario was calling and with his love of motion picture he moved to Keewatin to work at the Wright Theatre as projectionist. It was there he met his sweetheart Doreen Danielson who worked at the theatre ticket booth. After a short courtship Bob and Doreen married in April,1954. Aside from the theatre, Dad went on to work at various jobs, CPR telegraph pole climber, Campbell Brothers Electric, Delamere and Tilley Furniture, and dispatcher for Ontario Centre Airlines (OCA) in Kenora. In 1957 he made the decision to join the Ontario Provincial Police in Kenora. A year later they transferred to Redditt ON for the summer of 1958 where he was a one-man Detachment and apparently the only Police Officer to be stationed in Redditt. Dad was transferred back to Kenora for two years before being transferred to Nestor Falls in 1960 where again it was a one-man Detachment in the basement of our house! In 1965 they transferred to Atikokan, ON where they raised their family and remained until 1974, transferring back to Kenora that summer. During all these transfers across the northwest, Dad and Mom made many wonderful lifelong friendships along the way. Back in Kenora Dad worked various assignments but the one he was most passionate about was his final move into the OPP Identification and Bomb Disposal Unit where he worked until his 1987 retirement with 30 years dedicated service. Dad was extremely proud of his policing career and years of service as a Member of the Ontario Provincial Police, and an even prouder OPP retiree for 34 years! Following retirement Dad purchased Lakewood Camera Studio, a business that was a perfect fit for him. As the picture taking industry changed in 1989, Dad sold and moved over to Kenora Half Hour Photo, working for Chuck and Jan Bond. He really did come full circle with his love for film, from his early work as a motion picture projectionist to OPP Ident, the photo business and finally to his own photography business for weddings and other social events. Dad enjoyed keeping busy, always coming up with entrepreneurial ideas when he wasn't helping others or doing odd jobs; he was very kind and generous of his time, upbeat and pleasant. He found great joy in teasing people whether they were family and friends or someone he had just met, everyone was fair game! Dad struggled when Mom died but soon discovered his hobbies; mastering the computer, winemaking, chronicling chapters of his life as an OPP Officer in what he titled "The Empty Seat", carrying on cooking Mom's favourite recipes, curling, playing cards, bus trips, working different security jobs, aeromodelling, and taking pictures, and more pictures, his favourite pastime! In 2005 he met his dear friend Celine Hanton and they were inseparable, going for coffee, lunches, shopping, dinners, games at the Legion, and happily organizing Casino trips. Together they always had a busy social calendar that included many road trips, an Alaskan Cruise and a trip to Florida and Bahamas. Celine brought great joy to Dad and we are thankful they shared a long happy companionship for many years, including the enjoyment of each other's family. Dad was a devoted Member of the OPP Veterans' Association, a dedicated Member of the Masonic Lodge, the Keewatin and Kenora Legions, Keewatin Curling Club, and St. Andrew's United Church. An avid curler for most of his life in Northwestern Ontario, Dad went on to win the OPP NWO curling event at the local level in the early '60's and proudly went on to represent in Regina, Lethbridge and Vancouver. Dad also served on Keewatin Council for one term prior to Amalgamation of the Tri-Municipal Area. Dad was a loyal member of the local coffee shop crew at both McDonald's and A & W for many years, something he looked forward to three times a day, at least! He was also a true friend to many over the years and we thank you all for your friendships with Bob. He lived a full, enjoyable life on his own terms and was happy to have lived independently and able to drive right up until his recent illness. Our family would like to thank staff at Benidickson Court and Home Support Services for the care shown Dad during the 5 years he called Laurenson Lane home. Thanks to the ambulance attendants, nursing staff at the LOTWD Hospital Emergency Department, Doctors Giles, Olson, Jaffe, staff on 2nd East, and Char in Palliative Care. Special thanks to Carol Wilson for her compassionate care and concern of Dad in recent months. It's difficult to capture the essence of one's life in a few sentences; someone who has always been in your life, someone who loved life to the fullest, and someone who has always been strong, independent and brave....our chivalrous, kind-hearted, happy Dad was all that and more, right to the end. We are so thankful we had you with us for as long as we did. Cheers to you Dad for a life well lived; we love and miss you. At this time there will be no service due to COVID restrictions, hopefully we can gather next summer to officially honour Dad and say goodbye. Flowers gratefully declined, if friends so desire donations in Bob's Memory to the Canadian Wounded Warriors or OPP Youth Foundation/Pathway of Memories would be appreciated. Rest Easy 1803, you've earned it. "What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us." - Helen Keller ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------