HUGH “MIKE” MILLER

It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Hugh Michael Nasmyth Miller on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, with his family by his side, at the age of 80 years.
Mike leaves a legacy of love and example to his family and is survived by his loving wife Elaine, son William (Karen), daughter Barbara (Dermot), son Bryan (Mary), grandchildren Celina, Julia, Patrick, Aimee, Elizabeth, Liam, Darren and Michael, extended family and many special friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, Jane and Patrick Miller.
Mike was born an only child on Sept. 28, 1941 at the Calgary General Hospital. His family relocated from Calgary to Fort Saskatchewan, AB when his father accepted a position with Sherritt Gordon Mines. He spent many memorable summers as a teenager working on a bridge crew with his Grandpa out of Fort McLeod, AB. He found his true travel passion at age 17 when he set out on one of his greatest adventures after being selected by the Empire and Commonwealth Sea Cadet Camp, and sailing for three months from Vancouver to Hawaii, Fiji and finally Auckland, NZ. During his life, he purposefully made and held many meaningful friendships.
In 1965, Mike married Elaine Cairns – his life partner and wife of 56 years- and embarked on his most fulfilling life achievement, his family. In 1971, with three young children in tow, Mike and Elaine took a courageous step and moved from Fort Saskatchewan, AB to Kincardine, after accepting a position with Ontario Hydro at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant. It was in this beautiful town, nestled on the shores of Lake Huron, that many cherished family friendships and life-long memories were made.
In 1979, Mike and Elaine returned to Alberta to be closer to family. He loved taking his family to the Rocky Mountains, camping, hiking, fishing, was an avid history buff and was seldom found without a good book in his hands. As parents, many hours were spent driving their children to arenas to watch them play hockey and figure skate and they took regular family ski trips to Fortress Mountain and Lake Louise. He later cherished quality time with his grandchildren: building puzzles and Lego, playing checkers and attending their many sporting events. Many treasured recreational hours were enjoyed together at Lake Bonavista.
Sincerity defined him and he gave himself unconditionally, always willing to offer a helping hand with a tool box nearby.
After devoting their life to raising their three children (Billy, Barbie and Bryan – the 3 Bs), Mike and Elaine cultivated many special travel memories which included a six week elder hostel trip to Australia and New Zealand in 1997 with life-long friends, and cruising to the Mediterranean, British Isles, Panama Canal, Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands and the Caribbean.
Mike was always a proud company man and had a rewarding career which spanned more than 40 years, working for Sherritt Gordon, Co-op Fertilizers, Dow Chemical, Ontario Hydro, Delta Projects, Turbo Resources and numerous EPC’s as a contractor; he was never ready for retirement.
The family will be forever grateful to the extraordinary doctors, nurses and staff at the Rocky View Hospital Urology Unit 82 and Unit 58.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Calgary Public Library Foundation (Level 4, 800 3 St SE, Calgary Alberta T2G 2E7; 403-260-2600; https://calgarylibrary.ca/support-the-library).