Gary David MILLARD

February 25, 1941 - November 07, 2025

Gary Millard passed away at the age of 84 at Saanich Peninsula Hospital on November 7, 2025. Born in Victoria in 1941 to George and Isabelle Millard, Gary grew up in Esquimalt, where he learned what he called Esquimalt English, and then almost graduated from Victoria High School. He always said he was a better athlete than a student. After stints as a milkman and the manager of the sporting goods department at the Bay, Gary went on to a successful career as the salesman for VIP Soap. He was a gifted storyteller and salesman. His love of the outdoors led him to become an avid hunter and sports fisherman. After giving up fishing in his early forties, he took up the game of golf at the Cedar Hill Golf Course. Gary was a member of the Uplands Golf Club for many years and made many lasting friendships amongst the members and staff. He was proud to be able to, at times, shoot his age, or better, in his eighties. Gary married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Hauser, in 1961, and they raised two beautiful daughters, Marsie (Monty) and Carolyn (Ron). They had four grandchildren, Chelsea (Nathan), Chad (Tania), Dallan, and Cheylene (Mel). Gary has five great-granddaughters, August, Sloane, Riley, Eloise, and Audrey, and two great-grandsons, Harrison (Hazy), and Dexter, who knew him as Papa Gary. Gary and Shirley bought waterfront property at Cowichan Lake, which became Shirley's favourite place. Shirley and Gary spent fifteen years snowbirding in Hemet, California, golfing with friends. Gary always commented that Shirley bought Lake Cowichan and their place in Hemet. Gary and Shirley loved to make their gardens look pretty for everyone to see, whether it was at home, Cowichan Lake, or Hemet. Gary was obsessed with perfect lawns, earning him the nickname, Gary Mowlawn. He loved to comment that he and Shirley lived in the best of times, and that right or wrong, he did it his way. As per Gary's wishes, there will be no celebration of life.