Henry McMILLAN

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McMILLAN: Henry Bruce McMillan. Bruce, formerly of Carberry, Virden, and Brandon passed away in his 86th year at Virden Health Centre on May 6, 2009. Bruce slipped away peacefully with his loving Granddaughter Lisa Hemrica by his side. Born on April 1, 1924 to William Donald (Butcher Bill) McMillan and Cassie (nee Bradley). Bruce was a loving brother to Annie Rowena Hayball. Bruce took his schooling in Carberry. Then, during WWII, Bruce enthusiastically served his country from 1941 to 1945 as a member of 59th Field Regiment and was overseas much of that time. In fact, Bruce had “sneaked off” to join while “a bit underage”. After a couple of attempts by family to stop his underage decision, reluctantly his Mom and Dad relented and let him join. Upon return, Bruce was never willing to discuss much about the carnage he had witnessed. In 1945 Bruce returned to Carberry and met his future bride, Dorothy Yvonne Hope. They were married December 18, 1946. To this union, two children were born, William (Bill) in 1947 and Valerie Dawn in 1955. They moved to New Westminster, British Columbia where Bruce started his career as a butcher working for Safeway. After a couple of years, they moved back to Carberry and he worked in the butcher business with his father in Carberry. Bruce and his family moved to Brandon in 1963. It was on the outskirts East of Brandon that he opened and ran McMillan Meats until the business was destroyed by fire in 1980 (current site of East 40 Packers). Bruce moved to Virden where he later started Country Meats. He retired in 2005 having spent over 60 years in the meat cutting business. All of his life, Bruce was an avid baseball and hockey player and fan. He also shared his love of horses with his daughter Valerie, and attended many Harness Races and Rodeos. Bruce is survived by his wife Dorothy of Brandon, son Bill (Sharon) of Kenton, daughter Valerie McMillan of Brandon, Granddaughter Lisa Hemrica (Dennis) of Kenton, Grandson Charlie McMillan of Burnaby British Columbia. Great Grandchildren Jaden and Brett Hemrica, as well as his Mother-in-law Mary Wallace. Bruce is also survived by his sister Rowena Hayball, her two children Beverley Wiebe (Rennie) and Bruce Hayball all of Carberry. In addition, Bruce is survived by Great niece Kimberley Dyck (Jason) their children Jorja and Tristan and by Great nephew Christopher Wiebe (Tamara) and their son Dylan of Lockport, Manitoba. As well, Bruce is survived by his special friend Dorothy Rowson and family as well as many cousins and friends. Bruce was predeceased by his parents and by his brother-in-law, John Hayball. Funeral service was held at Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden on May 11, 2009. Interment followed at Carberry Plains Cemetery. Pallbearers were Rennie Wiebe, Bruce Cochrane, Herb Manser, Dennis Hemrica, Ken Hutchinson, and Wayne Volk. Reverend Minho Yoo of Knox Presbyterian Church, Carberry, officiated at both Virden and Carberry. If friends so desire, tributes may be made to Virden and Area Palliative Care in memory of Bruce.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 11, 2009