David Millen

MILLEN, David November 1, 1925 - June 6, 2015 Dave passed away peacefully at Selkirk Place in Victoria on Saturday, June 6, at the age of 89. A resident of Victoria since 2009, Dave was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, where he lived until 1946. He then spent two years in Burma serving with the Durham Light Infantry during that country's transition to independence. Upon his return to England he met his future wife Betty, to whom he was married for 65 years. The young couple and their son Alan immigrated to Canada in 1957, spending their first year in Edmonton, followed by five years in Fort St. John, where daughters Margaret and Heather were born. During this period Dave worked for Pacific Petroleum as a maintenance expert at the plant in nearby Taylor. In 1963, the family moved to Nanaimo, which would be Dave and Betty's home for the next 46 years. Dave spent 24 years working as a millwright for B. C. Forest Products at the pulp and paper mill in Crofton, which he often described as "the best job in the world", before retiring in 1990. Throughout his life Dave was passionate about soccer, which he played from boyhood into his 40s. During the 1960s and '70s he coached youth and men's soccer in Nanaimo. True to his "Geordie" roots, he was a loyal supporter of Newcastle United for eight decades. Blessed with a fine voice, Dave was an accomplished entertainer, performing on many occasions at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 in Nanaimo and various seniors' homes in the Nanaimo area. He particularly enjoyed his years as a member of the Tidesmen, a Nanaimo men's choir. Having grown up during the big-band era, Dave and Betty were elegant ballroom dancers renowned for their fancy footwork on the dance floor. Well into his later years Dave enjoyed lawn bowling, bridge, cribbage and dominoes. A keen curler for many years, he rarely missed a televised tournament of his favourite winter sport. Despite declining health, he retained his sense of humour and cheerful spirit to the very end. Predeceased by Betty in January of this year, Dave is survived by son Alan (Yvonne), daughters Margaret (Craig) and Heather, grandchildren Domenic, Denise, Jennifer and Shannon and their respective partners, and great-granddaughter Audrey, along with various relatives in Canada and the UK. Dave's family wishes to thank the staff at Selkirk Place for the care provided in his final years. Very special thanks go to Deb Vermaning, an extraordinary care-giver and companion to both Dave and Betty during their time at Selkirk. A celebration of Dave's life will take place at a date to be determined. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.