Marvin Edward Tiller

Marvin Edward Tiller of West Vancouver (previously Winnipeg), passed away peacefully, on July 10, 2025. Loving husband of Barbara (nee Gillespie); father to Patrick (Ariane), Rebecca (Ian Ritz), and Aislinn; brother to Garry Tiller (Mary), and predeceased by his twin sister, Marilyn Kjeldgaard (Jerry). Marvin was born September 7, 1940, in Lethbridge, AB, to Norman and Nora Tiller. At the time, his father was overseas with the Canadian Forces in WWII. They met for the first time at the end of the war. Marv was an accomplished hockey and football player throughout high school at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. He went on to attend Montana State University in Missoula on a football scholarship. During this time, he played hockey for both the MSU Bruins and the Butte Bombers, and developed many new friendships through his fraternity, Theta Chi. A hockey injury prevented him from continuing his studies at MSU, and he returned to Canada to complete his B.A. in Economics and International Relations at the University of Manitoba in 1960. It was there that he met the love of his life, Barbara. They were married in Winnipeg in 1964. Marvin started his career with Imperial Oil before joining The T. Eaton Company. He later moved to the Hudson's Bay Company in the early 1980s and went on to become President, HBC Northern Stores Division and a Director of The Bay. It was in this role that he travelled the north and high arctic extensively and developed a profound respect and regard for the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. In 1987, he became the inaugural CEO of the new North West Company. In 1990, he formed Canadian Shield Enterprises Inc. Marvin was an early advocate for a business model of economic development and wealth creation for First Nations communities that is widely adopted today. He became President and CEO of Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd., where he led the acquisition and growth of Arctic Beverages Ltd., along with a number of other significant investments. He took great enjoyment from the genuine business partnerships he developed with Indigenous business leaders, one of the early ones being Opaskwayak Cree Nation. He felt great satisfaction in the wealth creation these investments provided to the shareholder communities he represented. Marvin served on the Board of First Nations Bank of Canada; Director, Associates of the Faculty of Management, University of Manitoba; Director, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business; Director, Brandon University Foundation; Director, Churchill Gateway Development Corp; and Board member of the Winnipeg Symphony and Winnipeg Art Gallery. Marvin was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church and served as a Rector's Warden and on the vestry. Above all, Marv was happiest amongst his family as a loving husband, father, and Grampy to Adelaide, Olivia, Marlowe, and Barrett. He treasured time spent at the cottage on Lake Winnipeg with Barb's parents, and her siblings, Margaret, Robert, Richard, Fred, and their families. He also took great pleasure in hosting family and friends at the house on Middle Gate. His optimism in life was irrepressible, and his warmth and generosity with friends were constant. He was a decades-long member of the Winnipeg Winter Club, and a Life Member of the Manitoba Club where he enjoyed time with friends and many family occasions. Marv was known for his level-headed calm under all circumstances. He was always a voice of reason in any situation. Marv was a mentor to many and provided good advice to friends, acquaintances and family alike. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at Berkeley Care Centre in North Vancouver, who showed great compassion and care for Marv. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church - Building Restoration Fund, or to Rossbrook House Foundation of Winnipeg. A funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on August 7th, at St. Francis-in-the-Wood Anglican Church in West Vancouver. Marvin's final resting place will be St. John's Cathedral Cemetery, Winnipeg.