Milton Carl Chew

Milton Carl Chew Jr., beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on November 22, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on October 10, 1938, in Swedesboro, New Jersey, to Milton Carl Chew Sr. and Anna Rodrian Chew.

Milton is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara Anne Keddy; his children, Gabrielle Cordella Chew and Adam Chew (and Adam’s partner, Julia MacMillan of California); and his step-sons, Rick Devine, Rob Devine, and Randy Devine. He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Jaden, Ronin, Tori, Aria, Samantha, Julien, Marigold, and Miro.

He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Chew of Massachusetts and William Chew of Pennsylvania; and his sisters, Barbara Johnson of Washington and Betsey Van Horne of North Carolina.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Joyce Cordella Chew, the mother of Gabrielle and Adam.

A Professor of Mathematics, Milton earned his PhD at Carnegie Institute of Technology (Carnegie Mellon University), and worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York before immigrating to Canada in 1974. He began his thirty-year tenure at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he served as Chair of the Department of Finance, Information Systems, and Management Science at the Sobeys School of Business, inspiring generations of students with his rigorous intellect and thoughtful, unhurried approach to learning.

Those who knew Milton best will remember his calm, cool, and collected nature, and his unwavering devotion as a caregiver to his wife Barbara in their senior years—steadfast and kind, always doing what was needed without complaint.

Milton was the oldest of his siblings and enjoyed hosting reunions with them. He was a master of daily crosswords, regularly engaging in friendly but fierce competitions with his brother Bill in Philadelphia. He was a lifelong baseball fan—first cheering for the Phillies and Red Sox before proudly declaring himself a Blue Jays fan, and in recent years, supporting the Toronto Raptors. He delighted in bird watching at his backyard feeder, refinishing antique chairs (earning him the family nickname “Chairman Chew”), and savoring the challenge of a good backgammon match or a spirited political debate.

Milton and Barbara shared a love of cards—especially bridge—approaching each game with both a serious sense of strategy and a playful competitiveness that sparked laughter between them. Whether the stakes were high or low, their matches were always memorable for a mix of sharp thinking and good humor.

Together, Milton and Barbara were free spirits, exploring Canada and the United States in their Volkswagen camper van, happiest when the road stretched out ahead of them and the next adventure was just beyond the horizon.

He loved listening to jazz (and learning the saxophone well enough to play a joyful “Happy Birthday”), happily cooked memorable turkey dinners and lasagna, and never missed a chance to pause and say, “That’s an interesting question.” He always enjoyed the outdoors and cared for the environment. In his later years, Milton found special joy in animal and nature shows, watched with the same patient wonder he brought to so much of his life.

A celebration of Milton’s life will be planned at a later date, with details to be shared on the Cruikshank’s online platform. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ecology Action Centre, Doctors Without Borders, or a charity of your choice.

Milton’s wisdom, warmth, and gentle wit will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him. The family invites friends, former students, and colleagues to share memories and tributes online.

Further details and remembrances will be updated as they become available.