Albert Mills

October 20, 1928 – January 2, 2012

Albert Edward Mills was born on October 20, 1928 in a house in the 3600 block of Yale Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was the youngest of four children born to Frederick Charles Mills and Margaret McLean Mills. The family home was located on Cambridge Street in North Burnaby.

Eldest brother Fred, (1921-1940) joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1938 at the age of 17. He was injured while on the bridge as a lookout onboard the HMCS Fraser when the HMS Calcutta collided with her in the North Atlantic. His wounded arm forced several months of recovery at a naval hospital in Plymouth, England. He was then promoted to Leading Seaman aboard the HMCS Margaree. On October 22, 1940, 400 miles off the coast of Ireland, the Margaree was sunk in a collision with a large freighter she was escorting. The captain and 141 men, including 19 year old Fred, were lost at sea.

Sister Margaret Harlow, (1923 - ) describes Albert as being a great comfort to her all her life. She recalls the day when she was 17 and Al was 12, when he came running down to meet her after work to tell her their oldest brother was lost. Margaret had five children: Roseanne (predeceased), Drew, Fred, Genevieve, and Kathleen. She attended the University of British Columbia and went on to become a Social Worker.

Brother Allan, (1925 – 2004) followed his brother’s lead and worked on board the Canadian Pacific Steamships plying the Pacific Northwest Coastline until his retirement. Allan never married and enjoyed an active life with many friends and activities.

Albert attended Gilmore Avenue School with his long time friends Dick Rigby and Gwen and Graham Kidd. He went on to attend Burnaby North High School. After his brother Fred’s death, Al, too, offered himself in service to his country. In 1942, at the age of 14, Al lied about his age and joined the Merchant Navy for 4-5 months. He was assigned to an Imperial Oil Tanker called the M.V. Ontariolite. When he returned home he worked for Jacoby Brothers Jewellers as a polisher and plater for another 4-5 months until he began his long career in the automotive industry.

In 1945, Al was employed as a truck driver for the parts and service departments at Bowell McDonald. He also greased cars and then went on to become a partsman. In 1951, he became the manager of the Parts Department at Bowell McLean Motor Company where he would remain for the next thirty years. His strong organizational skills and affinity for numbers served him well in this role. He was an astute manager, a firm, but fair boss, and worked long hours late into the evening and on many weekends ensuring the inventory was accurate and up to date. During this time, Bowell McLean became the Canadian Distributor for Draw Tite trailer hitches. Al was honoured by General Motors as a Master Manager and awarded many trips to far off destinations including Rome, Hawaii, Maui, and South America.

In 1969, it became necessary to relocate the parts and body shop from the downtown location at 615 Burrard Street to make way for the development of the Burrard Street Skytrain Station. At this time Al moved to 1330 Glen Drive, then to the Limousine Department, and finally became the Administration Manager at 1174 West Broadway. Al cherished the many friendships and associations he made during these years.

In 1980, an opportunity presented itself for Al to return to his beloved Parts Department and he joined Westminster Chevrolet in New Westminster, B. C. where he remained until 1988. Al’s love for automobiles and passion for driving would continue throughout his life.

Following in his Uncle Mac’s footsteps, Al joined the Masonic Lodge in 1953. With his good friend Graham Kidd, a well-known North Burnaby Notary Public, they became founding members of Eastgate Lodge which amalgamated to become Lodge Southern Cross #44. Al was initiated November 27, 1953, passed January 8, 1954, and raised March 26, 1954 and became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite member on October 29, 1963. At the time of his death he belonged to Lodge Southern Cross #44, and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Vancouver.

Al was very proud of his children: Dana, born in 1956, Gene, born in 1958, Marc, born in 1966, and Denise, born in 1968.

Al’s second marriage to Carol Anne, on December 30, 1978 was a long and happy relationship based on love, respect, and a deep, lasting friendship. They enjoyed spending time together and they loved to travel the world and entertain family and friends in their home in Surrey. They were blessed to share 33 wonderful years together.

Al loved to travel by land, air, and sea. Many wonderful memories were made on trips to the British Isles, Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest. Cruises through the Panama Canal, to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Alaska, and Greece were magical. Al loved to drive and made frequent trips to Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, as well as in British Columbia and Alberta.

Whether flying in an airplane or watching them from the backyard Al could not get enough of airplanes. He always looked skyward if he heard a plane overhead. In 1986, Al booked a midnight flight to observe Halley’s Comet. As he said, “This comet is only visible from Earth every 75 years!” Alas, even the experts from the planetarium were disappointed with the cloud cover that evening.

Al was always an optimist and a visionary. When he heard Expo 86 was coming to Vancouver he organized a group ticket purchase for employees, family, and friends to ensure everyone would attend. Al attended 45 times and obtained stamps from every pavilion. He tasted the food and drink from as many countries as possible. It was a memorable summer!

Al was an avid reader of biography and history and these topics were his favourite television shows as well. He enjoyed watching football and hockey and was a long time season ticket holder for B. C. Lion’s games. He loved nature, animals, and tending vegetables, tomatoes, and herbs in his garden.

Al was always thoughtful, kind, and generous. He loved giving gifts to others on his birthday. He was a long time blood donor, donating hundreds of times. The Red Cross would often phone him when his rare blood type, A Negative, was needed. Al, too, became the beneficiary of blood donation in later years when transfusions were required.

Al had become a gourmet cook and enjoyed experimenting with new recipes. He always cooked the turkey for special occasions and shared much of the cooking for the wonderful dinners he and Carol hosted.

After a long life, well lived, Albert passed away on Monday, January 2, 2012, in New Westminster, B. C.

Albert was a quiet, well- respected man with a gentle nature. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on his tombstone

From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time

That he spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved him

Know what that little line is worth

For it matters not how much we own;

The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what's true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more,

And love the people in our lives

Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read

With your life's actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

Linda Ellis

_______

Miss Me But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little – but not too long,

And not with your head bowed low,

Remember the love we once shared,

Miss me – but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take,

And each must go alone,

It’s all part of the Master’s plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know,

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,

Miss me – but let me go.

* * * * * * * * * *

Mills, Albert Edward,

October 20, 1928 – January 2, 2012. Sadly, Al passed away on Monday afternoon with Carol, his loving wife of 33 years, holding his hand. Predeceased by his parents and brothers Fred and Allan, he will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his sister Margaret Harlow and her family. He is also survived by his children Dana, Gene, Marc and Denise. Al was extremely proud of his 45 year career in the Automotive Industry at Bowell McLean Motor Company and Westminster Chevrolet. He cherished the many friends and associates he met during this time. Al was a 32nd degree Mason in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and a member of Lodge Southern Cross #44. Despite a challenging year of declining health, Al faced his final three month battle with courage and determination. A quiet, well respected gentleman who loved life and travel, Al will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. A Funeral to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 12:30 pm at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, 14831-28 Ave, Surrey, BC. In Al’s memory, donations to Masonic Community Charities, Cancer Car Project, #105 – 1495 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC. V5H 1C9 would be welcomed. Condolences may be offered at www.victoryfuneralcentre.ca