Obituary of Don Macmillan

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Don Macmillan, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, at the age of 91 on February 16^th, 2024, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

Dad was predeceased in 2022 by Jeanne (nee Fiset), his loving wife of 63 years, and will be dearly missed by his sons Don (Jane), Grant and Stu (Tracey); his grandchildren Alina (John), Craig (Rebecca), Callie, Aiden, Eleanor and Claire; his great-grandchildren Warren, Gala, Sophie, Avery and Colson; his brother Bruce (Pat); nieces and nephews; and his many close friends. Dad was also predeceased by his parents Donald and Ann Mary (nee Macdonald) Macmillan; sisters Carole, Sheila and Laurie; and brothers-in-law Carnie Walsh, Claude Dorion and Peter Unsworth.

Dad was born in Montreal on October 19^th, 1932, and was raised in Montreal, Orillia and Dartmouth. After meeting and marrying Mom they began raising their family and moved from Montreal to the small Quebec towns of Portneuf Station and Pont-Rouge. They started their migration west when Dad began his career with Parks Canada, first living and working in Ottawa and then in Point Pelee, Riding Mountain, Elk Island and Yoho National Parks. The next move was to Winnipeg in 1973, to Parks Canada’s Prairie and Northern Regional Office. The family lived there while the boys pursued their education, after which Mom and Dad moved to Calgary in 1985. Dad retired in 1991 after a long and rewarding career. He loved being in the parks and “out in the field”, and especially enjoyed the after work down-time spent with his park warden and biologist friends at some remote patrol cabin.

Mom and Dad shared many adventures over their years together. They travelled abroad several times and they toured Canada and beyond in their bright red camper van post-retirement. Hiking and skiing in the mountains with their Calgary friends were favourite past-times and kept them both hale and hearty. Mom and Dad always looked forward to time spent with the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids at the Calgary home-base or wherever we kids happened to be living. Dad made Christmas visits particularly special for the young ones by ensuring that Santa made a personal visit.

We’ll remember Dad for his gentle and caring nature, the smell of pipe tobacco (before he wisely gave that up!), his love of a good scotch and his signature laugh. He will be dearly missed. A celebration of his life will be scheduled in the near future.