ERIC McMILLAN Obituary

ERIC C. McMILLAN Eric was born and raised in Toronto, spending the majority of his 92 years with his family in Stratford. Beloved husband of Betty (Ashbourne) and father of four: son Eric G. McMillan (Wendy), their children Erin (Chris) and their daughter Zoe, Owen (Lan) and their son Aiden, and Richard; daughter Suzanne Kelly (Chris) and their children Baird, Liam and Sydney; daughter Beatrice McMillan and her children Jaymeson and Matheson Denboer; and daughter Judith Gilbert (John) and their children James, Alyse (Tom), Jules and Michelle Thompson (Chad). Also survived by sisters- in-law, brothers-in-law and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Eric was predeceased by his parents, Jean and James McMillan and Ada Carruthers, brother George Marks (Irene) and sister Jean Morrison (Harry). During WWII he joined the Canadian Navy serving on a convoy ship as a Morse Code Operator. After the war he married Betty and moved to Stratford to teach Phys Ed at The Stratford Collegiate Vocational Institute (now Stratford Central Secondary School) and when Stratford Northwestern Secondary School first opened he continued teaching and coaching there, choosing the team colours garnet and grey and the school's mascot, the Husky. Sports were a central part of Eric's life throughout his youth and adult life. Later he became a Guidance Counsellor. He loved puttering in the gardens of his homestead. Many summers were spent at Kettle Point where he was Captain of Watermanship at The Ipperwash Army Camp during the summers and once retired, became a snowbird spending time with family and friends in Florida. There, he continued to play tennis, golf and cards and enjoy dancing and fishing. Eric was past President of the Kiwanis Club of Stratford, a member of Avondale United Church and contributed behind the scenes during many election campaigns. The family would like to thank Dr. Thompson and the Spruce Lodge staff who cared for Eric. Friends and relatives are invited to the memorial service at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, 519-271-7411, www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com Eric's ashes will be spread in God's Holy Acre, St. James United Church, later in the spring. Donations may be made through the funeral home to The Alzheimer Society of Perth County and to Spruce Lodge, specifically for their gardens which he often enjoyed.