IAN MACMILLAN

MACMILLAN, IAN Ian MacMillan died as he lived; with strength of character, love for his wife and selfless support of his boys and grandchildren. After a battle with lung disease, whose burden he carried with quiet courage, Ian slipped from our hands into God's; reunited with his eldest son, Shawn. Born during the war, in rural eastern Ontario, to a cheesemaker, Jim, and teacher, Eva, he never lost their values of honesty, dependability and family above all. As a boy he had the run of the neighbouring farms; fishing in creeks, skating on ponds and playing with his dog. Joining a band in high school as a guitarist opened up his social life and brought him to some establishments his teatotaling mother would not have approved. The seed that would grow to a fifty-five year marriage was planted while at Ryerson, when he asked a cheerful, beautiful girl name Patricia Knicely to dance. Her warm personality and easy conversation proved an excellent match for his quiet charm. Adopting Shawn brought joy and energy to their young family, which would only multiply with the additions of Kevin and Steven. Summers at the beach in Wasaga, winters in every small town hockey rink in Ontario, a successful career and a hobby as an amateur investor, which would impress even the pros, passed the years and earned him a full retirement to enjoy with Pat and their many friends. Pat and Ian travelled across the world, collecting photos, memories and new friends. Ian loved daughters-in-law Kate and Rachel like they were his own and he found joy in his grandchildren, Connor, Andrew, Sean, Nathan and Emily; believing in all, while loving and seeing each uniquely. He was generous with his time, with his love and with his listening and never turned away anyone that he saw needed help. While we have lost a gem of a husband, a rock of a father and a golden grandfather, we will treasure his memories always. Please come and share your treasured memories of Ian with us at Marshall Funeral Home at 10366 Yonge St., Richmond Hill. Please use the RSVP system at www. marshallfuneralhome.com to select a time slot to attend. Visitations are 6-8 p.m. Monday, February 14th and 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 15th, with funeral service to follow at 1:30 p.m. Donations can be made to StepstonesforYouth, www.stepstonesforyouth.com