Dale Ralph Miller

Good afternoon, thank you for joining us to honor the memory and life of my father Dale Miller.

Dale was born to Ralph and Audrey Miller on November 27, 1948 in Frederiction New Brunswick. Dale was the older brother to Cail and their relationship was a special bond that centered around practical jokes, love and a lot of laughter. Anyone that knew this pair knew that they were unique and hilarious.

Dale’s father was a member of the Canadian Armed forces which provided Dale and Cail with the rare opportunity to live in a variety of different locations across the country. Over the years Ralph was stationed in Montreal, Winnipeg, Shiloh, Chatham and Oromocto to name a few but the East Coast of Fredericton NB was always home to the family.

Dale joined the air force at the young age of 18 and completed basic training. He worked in Airplane maintenance for a few years before his discharge. He was proud to have been apart of this institution.

Dale moved to Sault Ste. Marie in the early seventies as his mother father and brother had all previously relocated here after his father Ralph got a job at the Steel plant. When he came to the Soo Dale drove Cab before getting a job driving the city bus in 1973. Dale drove faithfully for the city for 38 years before retiring December 1, 2011. Dale was best known for holding down the Eastside/Steelton Route, he won awards for his driving and always told the story of a man that would ride his bus nearly daily. The man would buy my dad a coffee just to watch him drive the bus with a hot black coffee with no lid mind you, and not spill a drop. Over the years driving for the city Dale met a number of different friends, including Jim Smith, whom my sister and I would later refer to affectionally as Uncle Jim. But of all the people that he met while driving his bus no one was as special as the curly hair lady he fell in love with. Dale met my mom Ann on this route, he would even later say that he often would slow down when he passed her house on Douglas street to see if she was home. Dale worked up the courage to ask her on a date and that’s where our story began. Dale and Ann were married on September 3, 1977 and had just celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Dale raised my older sister Shannon and I with my mother Ann. Dale was a wonderful and patient father. He loved playing practical jokes and more often than not my sister and I were the target. These created lasting memories. Dad always demonstrated a calm demeanor even in the face of adversity and was the overall Rock of the Miller family. He was a handyman that would provide support and advice with home and car repairs, he even taught me to change my own breaks. He was fur dad to his beloved Wendy girl and Bella. He also loved dog sitting his grand dogs and would spoil them.

Ann and Dale began attending Church at Elim and gave their hearts to the Lord in 1984. He was an active Church member and over the years helped with driving the bus for the Sunday School ministry, helping with the sound system and was on the greeting rotation.

Dale was a happy man that often found the joy in everyday life. In his younger years he enjoyed camping and riding his motorcycle. He and Ann took several motorcycle trips and saw both the west and east coast of the country on the back of his motorcycle. He gave me my first ride at eight months old, he held me tight on the gas tank as he rode in from Heyden, it was the seventies. In his later years Dale traded in his motorcycle for an RV and continued their road trips. Dad had a number of friends that will greatly miss his presences. He loved having coffee with Wendy, Gary, Tim, and Albert. And would tell stories of spending cold nights in a tent trailer in the woods with his buddy Phil building a log cabin.

My sister and I both married two men that bear very similar characteristic as Dad they both love to laugh joke and tease. Dale loved both Jamie and Aaron dearly and considered them his sons.

When Dale retired from the City he continued working as we all know he enjoyed interacting with people. He first got a job as a greeter at Walmart, I think as part of a joke, but he ended enjoyed his time there very much. He later drove school bus and spoke fondly of the children that rode his bus. Dale loved his grand children Abby, Andrew, Aiden, Ethyn and Ryder and was a great foster grandpa to countless of foster children that came through our home, he loved each and everyone of them. He has passed on his sense of humor, his ability to fix nearly anything and love for collecting to every generation in this family.

Usually, a man’s life is measured by his legacy. Dale’s legacy is one of acceptance humor and love that will live on forever. You will remain in our hearts we love you and will miss you Dad.

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MILLER, Dale Ralph - Peacefully at the Sault Area Hospital, with his family by his side on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the age of 73.

Beloved husband of Ann "Annie". Loving father of Shannon McMillan (Jamie) and Brandi Ritza (Aaron). Proud Grandpa of Abbi, Andrew, Aiden, Ryder, Ethyn and Sydney. Son of the late Ralph and Audrey Miller. Dear brother of the late Cail Miller. Brother-in-law of Douglas Cozac and Barry Cozac. Dale will be sadly missed by his niece Courtney Cozac, nephews Taras Cozac and Nathan Cozac by many foster grandchildren and by his many dear friends especially Wendy, Gary, Tim, Michelle, Ian and children. Special thanks to the staff at the SAH for the exceptional care that Dale received.

Friends may visit the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street E. 705-759-2522) on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm. Memorial service to follow in the chapel at 1 pm. Rev. Benny Kjiersdam officiating. Memorial contributions (payable online or by cheque) to Elim Pentecostal Church Building Fund or to the Sault Area Hospital Renal Unit would be appreciated by the family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be sharted at www.arthurfuneralhome.com for the Miller family.