MALCOLM MILLER-TAIT

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MALCOLM MILLER-TAIT 

January 21, 1931 - December 25, 2022

Malcolm James Miller-Tait (Malcolm Tait), Professor Emeritus, 91, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on December 25, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta. Malcolm is survived by his wife Myrna; his children Robert (Brenda), Donald (Gail), and Roderick (Kerry Collinson); grandchildren Evan (Alexandra), Dannyssa (Abel), Leigh Anne, and Janna; great-granddaughters Winnifred and Aannyssa; and many nieces and nephews. Malcolm was preceded in death by his siblings Winnifred, Margaret, Robert, Bill, and Logan; and his parents Winnifred (nee Martin) and Dr. Robert Miller-Tait.
Malcolm was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on January 21, 1931. During his youth, he lived in Vancouver and Edmonton. He married Myrna (nee MacNeil) on March 15th, 1955, in Vancouver. He was well known for his kindness and generosity. He did not worry about his own comfort and would literally give anyone the shirt off his back. He traveled the world with Myrna and enjoyed all life could offer. He lived life to the fullest and always embraced new experiences. He loved the outdoors and canoed up until a few months prior to his passing.
Malcolm was an internationally known Canadian cellist. He began cello lessons at the age of five, completing his formal study in Paris as a protege of the great cellist, Pierre Fournier. His solo career began at age 17 with a recital tour of Canada. He appeared as a soloist with the major orchestras in Canada and frequently broadcast as a recitalist on the CBC. He is also well known as an outstanding performer of chamber music and has toured Canada, the U.S., Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and China. He was the principal cellist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (1955-1957) and then of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (1958-1967) under the eminent conductors Irwin Hoffman, Walter Susskind, and Seiji Ozawa. He has been soloist and principal cellist at such music festivals as the Vancouver International Festival, the Minneapolis Symphony Festival, and the Stratford Festival. Malcolm was on the faculty at Brandon University from 1968-84, after which he was appointed to the faculty of the University of Western Ontario.
Cremation has already taken place. Inurnment will follow at the Capilano View Cemetery, West Vancouver, British Columbia. The family of Malcolm wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the McKenzie Towne Long-Term Care Home. Those who wish to may search for Malcolm Tait on The Canadian Encyclopedia. 

Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Malcolm’s family through www.evanjstrong.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 01, 2023