(November 1, 1925 – June 6, 2015)
Dave passed away peacefully at Selkirk Place in Victoria on Saturday, June 6, at the age of 89. A resident of Victoria since 2009, Dave was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, where he lived until 1946. He then spent two years in Burma serving with the Durham Light Infantry during that country’s transition to independence. Upon his return to England he met his future wife Betty, to whom he was married for 65 years. The young couple and their son Alan immigrated to Canada in 1957, spending their first year in Edmonton, followed by five years in Fort St. John, where daughters Margaret and Heather were born. During this period Dave worked for Pacific Petroleum as a maintenance expert at the plant in nearby Taylor. In 1963, the family moved to Nanaimo, which would be Dave and Betty’s home for the next 46 years. Dave spent 24 years working as a millwright for B. C. Forest Products at the pulp and paper mill in Crofton, which he often described as “the best job in the world”, before retiring in 1990.
Throughout his life Dave was passionate about soccer, which he played from boyhood into his 40s. During the 1960s and 70s he coached youth and men’s soccer in Nanaimo. True to his “Geordie” roots, he was a loyal supporter of Newcastle United for eight decades. Blessed with a fine voice, Dave was an accomplished entertainer, performing on many occasions at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 in Nanaimo and various seniors’ homes in the Nanaimo area. He particularly enjoyed his years as a member of the Tidesmen, a Nanaimo men’s choir.
Having grown up during the big-band era, Dave and Betty were elegant ballroom dancers renowned for their fancy footwork on the dance floor. Well into his later years Dave enjoyed lawn bowling, bridge, cribbage and dominoes. A keen curler for many years, he rarely missed a televised tournament of his favourite winter sport. Despite declining health, he retained his sense of humour and cheerful spirit to the very end.
Predeceased by Betty in January of this year, Dave is survived by son Alan (Yvonne), daughters Margaret (Craig) and Heather, grandchildren Domenic, Denise, Jennifer and Shannon and their respective partners, and great-granddaughter Audrey, along with various relatives in Canada and the UK.
Dave’s family wishes to thank the staff at Selkirk Place for the care provided in his final years. Very special thanks go to Deb Vermaning, an extraordinary care-giver and companion to both Dave and Betty during their time at Selkirk.
A celebration of Dave’s life will take place at a date to be determined.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Jennifer Neil
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Arlene Griffin (Cloke) Allan, Margaret & Heather,
I’m sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He will be missed by all that knew him. I have great memories when we were kids of your Mum & Dad when you lived at the store on 4th St. I know your Mum & Dad are happy & together forever.
Arlene
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The Obad Family We had the absolute pleasure of being next door neighbours with the Millan’s for several years. My boys fondly remember talking to Dave and Betty, watching Dave putter about and hearing about his missing finger. They were always so excited to see Dave marching in the Remebrance Day parade. Our condolences to your family.
Kathy, Mark and Luke
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Gordon Mellor David and Betty were significant figures in my upbringing. Our branches of the family were often separated by thousands of miles, however my Nanaimo Uncle and Aunt were ever present in many ways. Always good company the pair of them have left a gap that only time will heal. The baton passes to their Son and Daughters, my Canadian cousins.
My love goes to you all.
Gordon and family
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David Mulholland To Heather, Margaret and Alan,
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you on the sad loss of your Dad. I still remember my stay at Uncle Dave and Aunt Betty’s beautiful house in Nanaimo. That was in the summer of 1978, when I was an art student, and paintings of that
visit became part of my degree show. An earlier memory of our Uncle Dave, was when he visited his sister, Doreen (my mam), in Newton Aycliffe. There is a good photograph of Dave at this time taken and developed by Uncle Jimmy, as part of a family portrait.
I send these memories and best wishes on behalf of all the family on this side of the ocean, to all friends and family of Uncle Dave over there.
Love,
Dave and Bern x
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Gloria Zip Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss.
I met Dave, Betty, Heather, Margaret, Alan and Deb when I worked as a Receptionist at Selkirk Place. Dave was a gentleman in every sense of the word. We meet but a few people in our lifetime with true generosity of spirit and joie de vivre. Dave was one of those people. I will always remember his smile and sense of humour.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Consider yourselves hugged. Every time you see a butterfly be reminded that your parents are sending you kisses from heaven!
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Terry Simpson We have many happy memories of the times spent with our combined families. Our condolences to all of your families.
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Debbie Vermaning Heather, Alan, Margaret and Families,
I was so sorry to hear about Dave’s passing .
I will miss spending time with him and seeing his wonderful smile.
I too am sure he is with Betty and that they are laughing, dancing and singing again.
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to get to know and love Betty and Dave.
I have so many wonderful memories.
My thoughts and condolences are with you.
Debbie
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Sue marshall Thinking of you all at this sad time. I have spent time these last few days thinking of the time we spent in Naniamo with uncle Dave and aunty Betty all those years ago – 1986 if I remember correctly! Lots of memories to treasure. They spent a lifetime together and are now together again. Love to you all, from your cousins in the UK xx
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Gail Forbes Hi Craig and Margaret,
Mr Millen had quite the full life!
The few times I met him, he always made me smile.Thanks for sharing.
… Gail …
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Deb Dunn Hi all,
So saddened to here of Dave’s departure although I’m sure Betty was calling to him.
He will missed and his smile and sense of humour will live on…..
Hugs to you all.
Love from Deb xoxoxo
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Sandra & Randy Cody Margaret and Family – our thoughts are with you during this sad time. What an amazing and accomplished man he was – he has left you all with wonderful memories that you keep forever.
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Judy Barron and Dennis Hill Margaret, Gail told me about the passing of your father. Although I had only met him a handful of times I thoroughly enjoyed his contagious energy and love for life. Dennis and I send our condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. Godspeed.
My grandad was a wonderful man and very much a true gentleman. i will always admire his passion for the things he loved and his constant work ethic. It is from him that I learned how important it is to work hard and stay dedicated to a task. His sense of humour and sass will be missed most of all as will his knack for re-recycling recycled goods 😉
Thank you everyone for sharing their memories with us.