MacDonald (Mac) John Millard

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear Dad, MacDonald (Mac) John Millard. Dad had a very brief battle with cancer and on August 28, 2020, passed away peacefully with his family by his side. Dad was born in Swift Current on February 7, 1955. When Dad was young, his mother gave him and his sister, Catherine, the choice of a family trip to Europe or the purchase of a cottage in Cypress Hills. Dad and Catherine chose the cottage, and it sparked an interest in nature and geology that stayed with Dad for the rest of his life. Dad went on to study at the University of Saskatchewan, completing his studies in geology and obtaining Undergraduate and Masters degrees while raising a young family. Throughout years of work with the Saskatchewan Research Council and then through his consulting firm Pinto Butte Geological Ltd., Dad travelled extensively throughout the Canadian North and Alaska. While Dad was well-travelled, his favourite place has always been Cypress Hills and nearly 20 years ago Dad decided to make our family cottage his permanent home. Dad loved spending time with his grandchildren and sharing his love of “the Hills” with them. Dad always had his radio tuned to the CBC and loved listening to and supporting Canadian musicians. Dad was predeceased by his father Howard Millard in 1966 and his mother Lois Millard (Wahn) in 1997. Dad leaves behind his children and their families (Joel Millard; Brenna Millard, John, Jude and Ellis Shelling; and Kaeleigh, Chris, Roger and Miriam Kuzma); his partner Brenda Rees; our Mom Linda Millard; his sister Catherine Millard; and many other relatives and friends. In the past two months, we took great comfort in spending time with Dad at the cottage (with the music always on), and witnessing the deep love showed to him by so many friends. We thank Taylorre Weiss and the Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility in Maple Creek for their excellent and compassionate care of Dad over the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility. A celebration of Dad’s life will be held at a later date. And if you are passing through Cypress Hills, turn up the volume and think of Dad.

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