Doug McMillan

Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Doug, losing a short battle with cancer on April 11, 2021

Doug was born on September 6, 1963 in the RM of Glenwood to Jack McMillan and Maureen McMillan. He was one of five siblings. He was raised and attended school in Griswold/Oak Lake area.

He met his wife Gail in the fall of 1978 at the age 15. They were married December 18, 1980 and celebrated their 40th Anniversary in December 2020. They have one child, Russell Neil McMillan whom they lost to a tragic car accident in October 1999.

Doug started his work life with Canadian Tire working alongside his father in 1979 in Brandon. Doug, Gail & Russell moved to Winnipeg for a couple years. Feeling it would be a much better environment to raise their son in a small community, they moved to Birtle in 1987. Doug worked in the mechanical/Fuel business with his in-laws, Merv & Myrt Krauss until 1993. He then moved on the Agro industry for 6 years. He operated a High Clearance Sprayer for Cam’s Aerial Spraying out of Angusville. In 1999 when the loss of his son occurred, he decided he wanted shorter hours and to work closer to home. He started work at the Birtle Rink in the winter and the Birtle Golf Course in the summer. Two jobs he thourouly enjoyed as well. He was very particular about the ice at the rink. He could be found at the rink at 1 or 2 in the morning scrapping diagonally to make sure the ice was perfect for the tournament or game the next day. The Golf Course was his pride and joy. He always said, “If you look after the greens, the course will look after itself”. That was learnt from a mentor in his early years at the Golf Course. The greens were always very important to him. He also took pride in making the pin placement very difficult especially for Men’s Night. In the last month when Doug wasn’t feeling well, we was still worrying about what tasks needed to be completed for the upcoming Golf season. Doug was employed for the last 15 years with Park West School Division. He absolutely loved the Day Care Children and the Elementary students. There wasn’t a day he didn’t come home with a great story and bragging about how many “High Fives” he received that day. He respected all his co-workers and enjoyed his job. He recently took on a new role in with the Maintenance Department for Park West and was really looking forward to it.

Doug loved going on Winter Vacations shared with family and friends. He experienced Dominican, Cuba, Costa Rica, Cozumel, Xtapia, Guayobitos and other great Hot Spots in Mexico. He especially loved the history of these places. Doug also enjoyed golfing, camping, fishing, cooking and fixing anything he could get his hands on. Doug worked hard at everything he did and always gave it 110 per cent. He was always there if you needed anything, big or small. He was great at creating and inventing anything to make it work better or easier. We called him our “Personal MacGyver”. Doug will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts. He had the kind of personality that was infecous.

Doug leaves behind: His wife Gail, his “Boys”, Milo & Bo, Father Jack McMillan (Dorothy), Sister April Kennedy (Keith), sister Kelly Bex (Dan), brothers Brad & Todd, Father-in-law Mervin Krauss (Jeannette), brother-in-law Wayne Krauss (Diane), sister-in-law Cheryl Krauss (Mick), brother-in-law Garth Krauss (Janice), sister-in-law Melanie Krauss (Jason),many special nieces and nephews and so many great friends.

Predeceased: Son Russell McMillan, Mother Maureen McMillan, Grandparents Don & Chris McMillan, & Violet & Gordon Peacock, Uncle Stan, Uncle Neil, Aunt Shirley, Uncle Al, Mother-in-law Myrt Krauss, cousins Kyle Krauss and Esme Susinski.

A graveside service was held on April 16, 2021 at the Birtle Cemetery with Elaine Dixon officiating. Tristian Fouillard was the Urn Bearer. Acting pallbearers were Mervin Krauss, Keith Kennedy, Martin Fleury, Stuart Scantlebury, Rodney Snow and Rudy Neuhofer. Martin Fleury gave the eulogy. Cheryl Krauss shared a memory of Doug and a beautiful poem to Gail. Deena Amy (Niece) read a special poem and April Kennedy did a tribute to her brother and read a message written by Gail to Doug.

Card of Thanks

We want to thank our friends, community and surrounding communities for guiding us through what was a tragic loss in our lives.

We are overwhelmed by the many messages from you all. The gifts of food, cards, flowers, phone calls, texts, donations made to Cancer Care Manitoba in Memory of Doug, visits and special memorials and tributes in Doug’s memory was absolutely a huge comfort. Our family feels privileged to have so much support.

Thank you to Dad, Keith, Marty, Stu, Rodney and Rudy for acting as pallbearers. To Tristian for being the Urn Bearer. Marty for giving such a great tribute to Doug with your eulogy. Deena for reading the poem. Cheryl for your shared memories of Doug. And to April for your tribute to your brother and for reading my message to Doug. I know it wasn’t easy for you. You all did so well in speaking and I know how very hard it was for each of you. Thank you to Elaine for doing such a wonderful job on the service. Thank you to the ones who helped pick out the songs for the service. Many tears were shared at doing this.

Thank you to family, friends, and co-workers (Birtle Collegiate, Birtle Elementary, Park west Administration Office, Maintenance Department & Twin Valley Co-op) for all the love and support received during Doug’s illness and for being there at the most difficult time. A huge Thank you to that special Angel who left the Angel statue at the cemetery. Maybe one day we will find out who you are.

Thank you to Shawna and Rick for your compassion and professionalism in helping us along the way from start to end with the arrangements and planning.

Thank you to the Doctors and Nurses at the Brandon Hospital and the Emergency Department for treating Doug with such care and compassion. Kat, we will forever be grateful for your extra special care.

Words just don’t seem adequate to relay our feelings for the kindness and support shown to our family during this sad time.

Thank you to all that continue to help us deal with the loss of our husband, son, brother, uncle, son-in-law, brother-in-law, cousin and friend.

We are jealous of the Angels as to what they have gained.

Hugs to you all, Gail & Family