Vance Edwin Millar

Our Great 8 has left the Arena
1936 - 2022
After a difficult two years, Vance passed peacefully on August 5th with family at his side. Born in St. Catharines, Vance built the family home next to his parents with his brother Jack and family living a 9-iron away. For 55 years Vance was a noticeable presence in the Vine and Linwell neighbourhood. It was a common scene to have many family gatherings and celebrations, nights on the front porch sharing stories with friends and family and waving to honks from passersby. In his latter years with age and illness, Vance and his darling bride of 65 years, Dianne, moved to assisted living in Fort Erie, followed by residence for both at Maple Park Lodge. Vance is survived by Dianne (nee Rennie), his five sons, Mark (Sharon), Matt (Tha), Craig (Alison), Chris (Julie) and Bryan (Sherri-Marie). Vance will be dearly missed by his grandchildren (Kevin, Brent, Callie, James, Douglas, Tess, Adam, Keith, Kelly, Jessica, Ainsley and Ella-Christine) and his great-grandchildren, Madden, Livia and Hailey, as well as his many nieces and nephews and extended Millar and Rennie families. Vance became the patriarch of the Millar Clan under difficult circumstances with the loss of his father (Winston "Red"), mother (Doris) and only two siblings (Jack and Dan), all within a short five-year period (1987-92).
Vance had made living through his early days in the trucking industry (Scobie's then Husband Transport) followed by a career at General Motors in St. Catharines as a Millwright until his retirement.
Outside of work, and for the first half of his life, Vance was fiercely competitive and talented hockey player with a pinnacle success of capturing the OHA Senior "A" National Title (Allan Cup) first in 1968-69 and again as Captain in 1970-71, both with the Galt Hornets. Vance participated in several international tournaments with the Hornets and again with his beloved Nickerson's Hot Stovers. Vance had made friends everywhere he played, many of those friendships were as strong in the end as they were the day they were made. His hockey family was vast and cherished. After the skates were hung up, Vance enjoyed playing golf and worked on his game as often as possible. Vance and Dianne spent many winters in Thailand with Matt and his family, where he golfed often and again made many friends. Vance worked hard at maintaining his health and physical fitness in his senior years. Having bought himself a rowing machine, he rowed daily. At one point Vance worked his way into the top time globally for his age group.
Vance will be dearly missed by his family and many friends, and leaves a legacy of survival, dedication, and generosity. The family wishes to thank all those at Maple Park Lodge who have been of great assistance in the care and compassion needed during Vance's stay. Vance's wishes of cremation have taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at Trillium United Church (415 Linwell Rd., St. Catharines) on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Concussion Centre, at UHN Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Please visit UHNfoundation.ca/tribute and be sure to select "As directed by next of kin/obituary" in the direct my gift to field when making your donation or call 416-603-5300.