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ROSS MacMILLAN Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ross MacMillan, aged 77, who passed away from ampullary cancer on Sunday, November 16, 2025, in his home in Toronto.
Ross was born in Sioux Lookout, Ontario on November 21, 1947 to Roy and Mary MacMillan. It was during his childhood and youth in Sioux Lookout that he developed his lifelong passion for sports, playing hockey, golf, baseball and participating in cross country running, and track and field. After finishing high school, Ross attended Lakehead University where he earned an HBA in Geography and a BEd. He taught geography, co-led the outers club and coached football, track and field, and cross country running for many years at FWCI before spending the final years of his career at Westgate Collegiate & Vocational Institute as the head of the geography department.
As well as being a dedicated teacher and coach, Ross was an exceptionally devoted husband and father. His family was his greatest pride and his job as a teacher meant he could spend all school holidays with them. The summer holidays were a particularly precious time for Ross, allowing him and the family to escape to their family cottage on Big Vermilion Lake near Hudson, Ontario. There, he would spend many happy hours out on the water fishing for lake trout.
After living in their cozy house in Current River for 50 years, Ross and Evangeline moved to Toronto in 2023 to be closer to their children. Unfortunately, Ross was diagnosed with cancer later that year, and it was this cancer that returned in 2025 to claim his life. Ross was an incredibly friendly, open and generous person who always saw the best in people. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Mary MacMillan and his sister Mary Jane McCarthy. He is survived by his wife, Evangeline; his siblings Doug and Bonnie MacMillan; and his children and grandchildren Beth (Andrew) and Penelope; Reed (Cristin), Audrey and Shea; and Cara (Rob), Joshua and Frieda.
The funeral mass will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 11:00am at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 290 Grenville Avenue. A luncheon will follow in the church hall at 12 noon. Interment will occur with immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at The Mount Sinai Hospital. (Please select the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care option from the donations page at Sinai Health Donate Today - Sinai Health Foundation) or the Our Lady Of Lorretto Elevator Fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for ROSS MacMILLAN
39 Entries
Ted and Marcia Vaillant
Yesterday
To Cara and all the family
Sympathies on your loss. Ted always enjoyed chats with your Dad at school band events. When were considering a teaching gig in England Ross often talked about your families experience. Also remembered. Your dad laminating maps to use as placemats.
Ted and Marcia Vaillant
Cameron
November 25, 2025
Very sorry to the family for your loss. Mr MacMillan was a very kind, tolerant, subtle, decent and smart person with a quiet intensity. I never ever saw Mr MacMillan get upset with our sometimes unruly Urban Geography class. I very much enjoyed his coaching spirit with FWCI Blue Bears football. Mr MacMillan was one of the key staff members who made FWCI a very memorable and unforgettable experience.
Shaun Browne
November 24, 2025
Rosie was my most favourite teacher at FWCI. I remember how he would turn red and laughed at our vain attempts at humour.
Shaun Browne
Class of 1972
(6-year club)
David Hermanson
November 24, 2025
I am sad to say I could not make the service due to illness. My sincere regards for the family. I would have like to have attended in order to meet so many old friends.
Fred Alexander
November 23, 2025
My sincere condolences... Ross was a former student at QEDHS in grade 9 ... (1960's)I remember him very well.A good student well respected by all his peers.
A pleasure to have had him as a student.
Fred Alexander
Darlene Binette
November 23, 2025
Evangeline I am so sorry to hear about Ross passing. I have missed seeing the two of you on your frequent walks around current river. I still remember the time Ross played Santa Clause at one of our VPD Christmas. He was a great Santa. My sincere condolences to you and your family. He will be missed.
Livio Di Matteo
November 23, 2025
My condolences to the family. Ross McMillan was my Grade 9 Geography teacher at FWCI and he was a great teacher. My strongest memory of him that year was the lesson on plate tectonics and continental drift which fascinated me. As it happened, John Tuzo Wilson came to give a public lecture at Lakehead University that year and he took me to the talk. In the end, I did not become either a Geologist or Geographer but the intellectual curiosity that was nurtured continued. Thank you.
Jane Wright (Moran)
November 23, 2025
i was very sad to see of that Ross had passed away . He was one of the nicest guys we grew up with in h
ighschool. He could jive like nobody else.I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Evangeline and her whole family. He is gone much too soon. He will be missed.
Sue Moon
November 23, 2025
Evangeline, I´m heartbroken for you and your family. Ross was truly a wonderful man. I still have the wooden penguin he made for me when he retired, and it has always been proudly displayed on my bookshelf. I´m so sorry that I´m unable to attend the funeral, as I no longer live in Thunder Bay. Sending you a hug and my deepest condolences.
Cara MacMIllan
November 23, 2025
On behalf of our family, I would like to thank you all for these beautiful words. We have been reading these comments and have been truly touched that you took the time to write. It has been a source of comfort to read how many people appreciated our wonderful dad.
Erminia (Bastone) Maykut
November 22, 2025
So sorry to hear of Ross' passing. I remember him from Sioux Lookout and high school always with a friendly smile, a good athlete and a great dancer, especially the "jive".
My sincere condolences to Evangeline and all his family. RIP.
Erminia (Bastone) Maykut
Alana Cernjul
November 22, 2025
I am saddened to hear about Ross´s passing. He was always so welcoming to Cara´s friends, offering a joyful smile with each visit. He was such a loving husband and father, and as I also knew some of his students, a beloved teacher. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those he touched. My heartfelt condolences to you all.
Catherine Siemieniuk
November 21, 2025
Sincere condolences to Mr MacMillan´s family and friends. Mr MacMillan was a gifted educator who treated each student with kindness and understanding. He was a favourite of many. I can say without reservation that his "way" had an impact on my own career in education. Rest well, Mr. MacMillan and thank you!
Janin Pugh Robertson
November 21, 2025
I hope he knew he held 'favourite teacher' status for many.
I had the honour of being his student for at least 3 classes, possibly 4, at FWCI in the late 80's. In fact, I am quite sure I actively signed up for classes he might be teaching.
It's so nice to read that so many former students agree that he was the absolute best and I hope this brings you some comfort at this very difficult time.
My deepest condolences.
Jaime Murdoch
November 21, 2025
I had the sincere pleasure of being a student in Mr. MacMillan´s geography class at FWCI. Mr. MacMillan was such a kind and compassionate man. He always had a happy smile, a great sense of humour, and always showed that he truly cared about his students-not just how they were doing in class but how they were doing in life. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
Mandi Larrett (Siemieniuk)
November 21, 2025
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. MacMillan. He was one of my very favourite teachers at FWCI, and inspired a love of learning in so many of us. He was kind, fair, fun, funny, and even silly at times and I remember him so fondly. My deepest and most sincere condolences to his family and friends. We were blessed with so many amazing educators at FWCI, and Mr. MacMillan, Mr. Golab, and Mr. Anderson were three of the very best!
Bruce and Terri Macsemchuk
November 20, 2025
We are sorry to hear of Ross's passing. We met Ross and Evangeline when our son played hockey with Reed. Spent many enjoyable hours at the hockey rink and tournaments with them. Ross was a very kind man with a sense of humor.
Our Condolences to the family.
Llyn Wren
November 20, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Ross was a kind, caring person and it was always great to be in his company.Hugs and love being sent to his family.
Sonia Kondrat
November 20, 2025
Mr. MacMillan was a great teacher. I had the honour of being in his class at FWCI many years ago. He will be remembered for his open smile, his cheerfulness and supportive manner with his students. I am sorry to hear that he suffered from cancer at the end of his life. My sincerest condolences to his loved ones.
Kerri Gibbons Maunula
November 20, 2025
Deepest condolences to Evangeline and family. Ross was always so kind and friendly. I will remember him fondly.
Donna M LaBelle
November 20, 2025
My condolences to the family. I remember Ross from when I was 9 years old. Very lovely person.
Susan Clarke Malcolm
November 20, 2025
I was so saddened to hear of Ross´s passing. He was one of the nicest guys in high school. Always happy to see you and a good, kind person with a great sense of humour. I didn´t see him often over the years as I live in the Vancouver area but was pleasantly surprised when I ran into him and Evangeline while visiting my Mother in Thunder Bay a number of years ago. He will not be forgotten. My condolences to all of his family.
Dorothy (France) Irvine
November 19, 2025
Ross was on my staff at FWCI and I found him to be an excellent teacher who was liked and admired by both staff and students. Ross was always very positive and most willing to help whenever called upon. I will always remember his kindness, and genuine love of for people.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
Rest in peace my friend.
Elina and Mark
November 19, 2025
We remember fishing with your kind Dad, Reed, at Big Vermillion- no doubt his happy place. Condolences to your entire family.
Jill Myburgh (Logan)
November 19, 2025
So sorry to hear this news. Thinking of Evangeline, Beth, Andrew and the family. Mr MacMillan was by far my favourite teacher at FWCI. He joined us on many overnight adventures in the Outers Club. He was always smiling and supportive.
It was so nice to see him at family functions back in the day and be able to reminisce about the Blue Bears with him!!
Mr MacMillan´s legacy will live on as one of the greatest teachers of all time.
Bob Norman
November 19, 2025
I only saw Ross briefly over the years as he and Evangeline visited Hudson/Sioux often but fondly remember himand
David Hermanson
November 19, 2025
So sad to hear this news. Condolences to Evangeline and Family. Ross was my first childhood friend from about age 4. We grew up our early life as neighbor's on King Street in Sioux Lookout. I have a ton of great memories as we grew up in this beautiful and outstanding community. We all had nicknames early in life and Ross's nickname was Rosie. I have a few old pictures that I will post with this message.
Colleen Shonoski
November 19, 2025
Mr MacMillan was an interesting, involved and much respected teacher. RIP
Class of 1974
Mary McNeil
November 19, 2025
Mr. MacMillan was one of my favourite teachers. He was very kind and always made time for any student. He made any topic he taught exciting. I will remember him always! RIP
Andrew Dalrymple
November 19, 2025
Amazing teacher, coach and person. I took geography in the 90´s FWCI. I remember his positive energy and content clarity Mr. MacMillan was a fantastic educator and clearly an amazing dad, and person outside of school. My condolences to close family and friends.
Lenore "Fenelon" Hooker
November 19, 2025
It´s been a long time but some people and families you never forget. My sincere condolences
Crystal (Groombridge) Bradica
November 19, 2025
Mr MacMillan was my geography teacher in the 80´s at FWCI. He was such a kind and compassionate man and an excellent teacher.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Stephen Melnik
November 19, 2025
Rosie! Was my favourite teacher at FWCI. May he rest in peace
Ev (Aylward) MacGray
November 19, 2025
Mr MacMillan (nicknamed Rosie) was one of my favourite teachers at FWCI. He was a great, enthusiastic teacher and I am still keen on all things geographical lo these many decades later. My condolences for your loss.
Daniel Calvert
November 19, 2025
Condolences to the family of Mr. Macmillan. He was my geography teacher at FWCI and was a very professional teacher. A pleasure to have known him.
Nancy Tozer Madigan Burrows
November 19, 2025
Mr MacMillan was my Geography teacher FWCI in the 70´s. Sincere condolences to his family
Paul Tremblay
November 19, 2025
Ross was my teacher and running coach at FWCI in the 70´s.
Terrific teacher,coach and a great guy.
RIP Rosy.
Daniel Chip
November 19, 2025
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Much Love.
Anne,Daniel and James Chippendale
November 19, 2025
Our interactions with Ross were few, but our lasting memory of him was that he was a gentleman and a gentle man. Our thoughts are with Ross as he starts his next journey and Evangeline,Beth, Andrew, Penelope and all the family as they navigate their loss.With love, Anne,Daniel and James
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