Millar, John Patrick
John Patrick Millar
John Patrick Millar, surrounded by his family, went on to his next great adventure with great dignity at the Regina General Hospital on Sunday, November 29th, 2020.
John was born the second son to Hugh (Scotty) Millar and Catherine (Cathie) Millar (Cameron) September 7th, 1953 in Weyburn, SK. The family lived in Weyburn until moving to Moose Jaw, SK in 1955 with the opening of the Saskatchewan Training School where dad was employed as a steam engineer.
John attended school at St Mary Catholic Elementary School and later Vanier Collegiate Institute for high school in Moose Jaw. Following high school John attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, SK. He worked at the newspapers in Hay River, NWT, Moose Jaw Times Herald, and the Leader Post in Regina, SK before moving to his job with the NDP. He began with the NDP as a speech writer for Allan Blakeney then Roy Romanow. John also worked with various candidates of the party seeking election to government. In later years he was appointed as the director of Strategic Planning for STC. After several years at STC John took early retirement. During his retirement John travelled meeting friends and attending political conventions. He also continued to help political hopefuls with running their campaigns to seek office.
John was predeceased by his parents; his infant sister, Mary; relatives in Canada, Scotland, Holland and New Zealand. John is survived by his brother, Jim (Rhonda) Millar and sister, Lesley (Doug) Sheppard, both of Moose Jaw; nephews: Aaron (Stephanie) Millar, Owen and Andrew of Raymore, SK, Evan (Amy) Millar and Maxon of Estevan, SK; niece, Brandi Sheppard of Brandon, MB; and many cousins and friends.
In keeping with both Covid-19 restrictions and John’s wishes there will be no Funeral Service but when it is safe to do so, John would like all family and friends to gather at their favourite spot and raise a glass in remembrance and toast him. A small graveside service will be attended by immediate family at a later date.
John and his family would like to thank the medical team, floor nurses on floor 6A and all the staff at the Regina General Hospital for all their compassionate care given to him during his stay there.
Flowers are gratefully declined. As an expression of sympathy, donations in John’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Those so wishing may leave condolences on the Moose Jaw Funeral Home website. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
I worked with John for a number of years….always enjoyed his quirky sense of humor and sometimes caustic wit!
To the family. I am very sorry to hear of John’s passing this week. He was one of a kind and his personality always made a get together a fun and enjoyable experience. I will always have fond memories of John.
I used to watch Rider games weekly with John and my dad, Scott, who passed away about a year and a half ago. I miss that experience a lot, and I will miss John a lot. I’m very sorry to his family for your loss. John was funny, kind, generous, and cranky in a way that made him really fun to watch the Riders with. When I met my now wife Marlene, she quickly started to love watching games with the old guys too, and John made her feel welcome immediately.
He was a great friend to my dad. He’ll be missed by everyone in our family.
We’ll raise a drink in his honour.
John was a smart strategic hard worker. John loved sharing his point of view which he usually always considered to be correct. He worked tirelessly for the NDP. I also remember John as kind with a good sense of humour . Rest In Peace friend.
So sorry for the loss of your brother Jim.
Lesley and family,
I was saddened to learn of John’s passing (too young) from another Vanier alumnus this week. Memories of our years together as reporters at the Leader-Post in the newspaper’s heyday make me smile. Sending sincere condolences.
I always enjoyed my times with John. He was bright, passionate, a believer in social justice for all and his quirky demeanour made him an interesting person to be with. Please accept my sincerely sympathy.
Just the mention of John’s name would bring a smile to my face. No such smile today. We worked together on many political projects. Bright and engaging, John did not particularly enjoy losing an argument but that didn’t happen too often.
I will miss you my friend. Rest easy!!
My sincere condolences to John’s family. I’ll always remember John as a generous and loyal friend. He will be missed.
My condolences to John’s family. I was very sorry to hear of John’s passing. It was always fun to be with John. What a sense of humour and caustic wit! John’s progressive politics were enlivened by a keen commitment to debate all comers with his sharp observations and many viewpoints peppered with irony. John will be missed.
Please accept our deepest sympathy on loosing John so young. We had great times with John over many years and he was always good for laughs and quick wit. We will miss him.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was smart, dedicated, and loyal. Sympathies to his friends and family.
My condolences to John’s friends and family. John was such a great influence in my teens and early 20’s with his incredible sense of humor. He was responsible for so many of my favorite early memories. John was also one of the smartest people I had the pleasure of growing up with; arguing with, and laughing with. He will always have a special place in my heart.