MILLER, Lyle Miller

We are sad to announce the passing of our father, Lyle Miller at age 93 in Toronto. Dad struggled to recover from surgery after fracturing a hip. That his injury occurred while pruning a large tree in his front yard is testament to his tenacious spirit.

Lyle was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Beverley (Wallace), in 2020. He is survived by his sister, Dawn Gates (Terry), sons Bryan (Antonia), Raymond (Andrew), Donald (Wendy), granddaughters Elora, Lauren, Lindsay, and by great granddaughter Rosie Deroos.

Lyle was born in 1933 in Saskatchewan. His early years were spent in the St. Walberg and Loon Lake areas, his parents being teachers in remote one room schoolhouses. They later moved to Saskatoon. Dad recalled they raised chickens in their backyard as a sideline and sold the eggs locally. Young Lyle delivered the eggs in his wagon, but after a rollover mishap he was relieved of this duty.

The family moved to Melfort, Saskatchewan where Lyle as a teenager worked with his father in the bee and honey business. He formed a high school bowling team and carried that passion even as far as joining a bowling league in Toronto at age 92.

In 1949 Lyle began an Engineering degree at the University of Saskatchewan. While in Saskatoon, he met his future wife Beverley, who was boarding with his aunt. They married in 1954 and moved to Kingston in 1956 for a job at CIL. In 1968, Dad transferred to head office in Montreal. In winter Dad spent hours flooding a backyard rink though he himself didn’t skate and took us to the Laurentians though he himself didn’t ski. He became a leader of our scout troop and introduced us to hiking in Vermont. Later, Dad bought a cottage lot north of Kingston, Ontario, and built the family cottage which is still the source of fond memories.

In 1977, Mom and Dad moved to Toronto and enjoyed many friendships, bridge leagues, and New Years Eve parties. They enjoyed the community aspect of their local church and played active roles. After retiring in 1990, they enjoyed some overseas trips and also roaming about in their VW van.

Dad had a keen mind. He was part of the U of T Later Life Learning group, the local Kinsman branch, and ran bridge leagues at the local community center and church. Dad enjoyed discussing any topic, and many an unsuspecting person found themselves drawn into an unwinnable debate.

Dad was a firm believer that nothing was too hard, and that almost any item could be repaired or repurposed. Dad’s wisdom, guidance and loving support will be greatly missed. A small family funeral will be held at a later date. Interment is to be in Cataraqui (Kingston), Ontario.