We Remember
MCMILLAN, Gordon
January 4, 1927 — May 18, 2021
It is with heavy hearts the family of Gordon Warner McMillan announce that with family by his side, he slipped peacefully away on May 18, 2021 at the age of 94. Beloved husband, dad, Gramps, and Great-Grampa.
He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy in 2018. He is survived by his sons Bruce and Brian (Debbie), daughter Donna Lee (Dave); grandchildren Kyle (Carrie), Chad (Nikki), Travis (Devon), Marc (Poonam), Chantal (Tim); great-granddaughter Blake, and great-grandsons Decker and Bo. Gord is also predeceased by his father Gordon, mother Nora, brother Jim, and sister Sharon.
Gord was born in Moose Jaw, SK on January 4, 1927. He attended the University of Michigan where he completed his Master’s degree in Geology and played for the Michigan Wolverines Hockey team. Gordon was ranked #6 in “Michigan Hockey’s best 50 players of all time” and led the team in scoring all four years at Michigan. Gord scored two goals in the 1948 NCAA championship game, helping them to win the first national championship in program history, and is 10th in career points in program history. He was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Honor and was player of the decade for the 1940s. Gord was very proud of Michigan and his hockey accomplishments. He adored his grandchildren and taught them all to skate, often giving them his best hockey advice … “Keep your elbows up” with his in the air and a little smirk on his face.
After graduation, Gord moved to Calgary, AB and started working at Shell Oil where he met Doe. They married in 1952 and were married 66 years. Gord went on to work for Cardo Canada for a number of years until he started his own company, “McMillan Oils.” He and his son Brian worked for several years together. Gord was a very successful geologist and was responsible for significant oil and gas discoveries in both Alberta and BC.
Gord and Doe lived in Calgary until 8 years ago when they moved to their Kelowna, BC lake house they bought as a summer vacation home in 1967. There they spent every summer with Bruce, Brian and Donna Lee. Summers were always filled with friends and family visiting making wonderful memories. Gord enjoyed snow skiing, hunting, water skiing, golfing, and fishing.
He was an amazing man who was incredibly generous to his family and friends and was always helping someone out one way or another. Gord loved his Michigan gang, his golf buddies, hunting buddies, neighbors and many friends. He had many lifelong friends with special mention to “the kids” Dale and Dianne Wilson.
The family would like to thank all of Dad’s many friends and family for their love and support, the staff at Brandts Creek Mews, especially the nursing staff and care aids in Pear Lane, and Dr. Jennifer Parsons for providing such loving care to dad.
A special gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate his life. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com
I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country
So sorry to hear about Gord’s passing. I hadn’t seen him in several years, but I appreciated his sense of humor and sage advice when I was a (much) younger man. I knew Gord was also an accomplished athlete, but didn’t realize just how impressive his college career was until I read the obituary. My condolences to Brian, and the rest of the McMillan family.
My sincere condolences on Uncle Gord’s passing to Bruce, Brian and Donna Lee and associated immediate family members. It is with great respect and pride for him from me that ‘my’ parents decided to name me after him when I was born. Once, when I was a lad, I got to spend a week at their Kelowna summer house to waterski etc. and cajole in the lake atmosphere. I remember the winery across the way and that their next door neighbor was the premier of the province Bill Bennett. I would also at this time like to extend to the family my belated condolences on Doe’s passing.
Bruce, Brian and Donna Lee, sorry to read your loss. I look back every now again to playing hockey for the Cambrian Heights Pee Wee ‘B’ hockey team coached by your Dad, those were some very fun times. Your Dad has touched many lives including my own children through my good fortune to have known him.
Sincere condolences to Bruce, Brian and Donna Leon the loss of your father.. Gordon was a wonderful person and one of my best friends. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
To DonnaLee, Bruce Brian, Carole and I were saddened to see of your Dad’s passing and Doe’s passing years ago. We lived next door on Cumberland drive with Janine and Michelle and later Trevor. I put together the sailboat at Kelowna when your folks didn’t like sailing. At Cumberland dr. You were all small. We lost track of Janine and found her in Gord’s hunting dogs dog house and inside the dryer. Blessings to the McMillan family .Ken And Carole McIvor:
Brian, I was saddened to read your Dad passed away recently. When I worked at Consumers Oil many years ago, I recall fond memories of “popping in” to say hi to you and Gordon. I shall fondly remember Gordon always had a smile on his face as he shared a funny story with me and asked what I had been with my spare time. Reading Gordon’s obituary, I learned so many things about Gordon’s life when he was a younger man. Brian, please pass on my condolences to Debbie and your brother Bruce and Donna. Time passes so quickly, but we are blessed to have good memories of the people who made an impact on our own lives.
Sincerely
Trudy Kliciak
I found Gordon’s obituary online. I was researching the family of Neil McMillan. My mother in law was born Ellen Loy McMillan. Her father was Alexander brother to Gordon “Gymie” McMillan. Gordon Warman McMillan would have been a cousin to Ellen Loy McMillan. The family plot is in the old Molse Jaw Cemetery. I would very much like to get in tough to share info. In the meantime here is a photo with Gordon on the Moose Jaw Monarch’s.