1925-2018
Peacefully, on November 13, 2018 at the age of 93, Alan Reid Miller passed away at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg. He will be lovingly remembered by his children Cindy (Andy) Blicq, Todd Miller and Chris Miller; grandson Graham Blicq; nieces and nephews Brian (Jo-Ann) Tomchuk, Brent (Shirley) Tomchuk, Barbara (Darren) Borton, Adam Borton and Alexa Borton. He is predeceased by his parents Alex and Florence (nee Reid), wife Roberta (nee Clark), brother Colin, sister Leona Tomchuk and nephew Ian.
Al was born in Winnipeg on October 31, 1925. He grew up in Winnipeg’s West End where he attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. There, he excelled in football, track and field, basketball and swimming. Al spent his summers at Grand Beach and made money carrying baggage for people arriving on the train, before heading to the dance hall to dance and visit with friends. He remained close to those friends all his life.
He joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served in the Atlantic during World War II. After the war, he began his postsecondary education at Normal School to become a physical education teacher, receiving his Permanent First Class teacher’s certificate in 1954. He was teaching in Selkirk when he met Bobbie Clark, whom he would marry in 1956. Wanting to pursue a career in Recreation, he continued his postsecondary studies at the University of British Columbia and the University of Western Ontario. He took his first job in recreation in Ontario at Port Arthur and Red Rock. He lived in Red Rock where he managed the facility developed and developed programs for the recreation centre. While there, he and Bobbie were married and had their three children.
In 1962, Al accepted a job with the Manitoba government as the first Recreation Director of the newly established Fitness and Amateur Sport branch. Over the next two decades, he supported the development of recreation positions and programs in 40 communities across Manitoba and was a founding member of the Canada Games, the Manitoba Sports Federation, the Western Canada Games, and the Manitoba Games. Al was extremely proud, when in 1995, he was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame as an All Round Builder.
While working for the government, Al oversaw the operations of the Leadership Training Centre in Gimli. He joined the Gimli Yacht Club in 1969 and was Commodore from 1975-77. He served on the GYC Board for an additional 11 years and facilitated the club expansion with a shared use agreement with Gimli New Horizons in 1988. Al loved sailing and continued to sail well into his 80s. Al was also a lifetime member of the YMCA, where he spent lunch breaks playing basketball and visiting with friends before heading back to his office at the Legislative Building. Al retired as Deputy Minister Responsible for Sports and Recreation. During his career, he survived four changes in provincial government, five premiers, and 11 ministers.
After Al retired, he and Bobbie spent most of the year in Gimli at the cottage, which he had renovated himself. In the winter, they travelled to Cuba, Mexico and Hawaii. He also enjoyed going downhill skiing with his grandson. After Bobbie passed away in 2002, Al spent his time working around the cottage, taking time off to sail, play golf, ride his bike, and visit friends and family. He especially liked organizing games and activities for gatherings he hosted for friends from Daniel Mac and Red Rock. In the winter, he continued to stay active when he lived at Lions Place, River Ridge I and River Ridge II. Al was a lifelong athlete. He loved music and was an excellent dancer. For the last ten years, he endured the debilitating physical and mental decline caused by dementia with courage and humour.
Thanks to the staff of Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg, and Donna Banting for the love and care they gave Dad over the last year. A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, November 29 at 11:00 am at Thomson Funeral Home at 669 Broadway in Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.
