David I.
Miller
David, age 77, passed suddenly at his home in Antigonish on
November 1st, 2018.
David’s life was filled with a myriad of interests
and accomplishments. Born in North Sydney of Faye Florence Wolfson of
Sydney and Charles Cyril Miller of North Sydney, David graduated from
Thompson High School in 1959. He continued his education, graduating
from McGill University in Montreal in 1963. Availing himself of a
Rotary International Scholarship, David spent the following year
travelling the world, before pursuing an MBA at Columbia University in
New York City. His professional career began in Montreal with the Bank
of Montreal. In 1967, he took a position with the World Bank in
Washington, D.C. where he met the woman with whom he would spend the
rest of his life. He married Aida Arnold in 1972. David and Aida moved
to Cape Breton in 1974, where David had taken a position as Vice
President of Development with the Cape Breton Development Corporation,
DEVCO. They moved back to Washington in 1982, with David representing
Canada with the Inter-American Development Bank. They ultimately
located to Antigonish in 1988, where he and Aida operated McDonald
franchises in Antigonish and Port Hawkesbury until 2012. David was
ever inquisitive. Whether it be global affairs about which he kept
himself well informed or local Antigonish issues and events where his
presence and participation were constants. He and Aida were
instrumental in Antigonish being recognized for a civic beautification
award. David’s dream of creating a venue to promote local
artists, a dream he shared with Beth and Michael, became a reality
with the opening of the Antigonish Art Fair, which just finished its
fifth season. Arts and culture were passions of David, for which the
residents of Antigonish Town and County have been the beneficiaries.
He never stopped thinking about how we might make the community
better.
David took great satisfaction with the establishment of the
Arts House in Antigonish, a venue where creative artists and students
are able to have access to a creative environment and to share their
skills, passion and vibrancy with others. David was also a farmer. His
days at their beautiful property in Big Intervale were spent
cultivating potatoes, making maple syrup, or finding some excuse to
play with his tractor. His friend, Danny MacLeod was always close by.
His interest in power generation led to the construction of a water
driven turbine that powered their home.
David and Aida’s shared enthusiasm for gastronomy
had them travel much of the world savoring delicacies unique to their
destinations. Just three days before his death, David shared a table
with some of his dearest friends in Melrose, Guysborough County, where
prime rib was the featured entree. And as was his custom, David always
asked for a rib bone. For a number of years, David had been dealing
with an illness that required aggressive and sometimes debilitating
treatment. His spirit and attitude were unfailing through it all,
inspiring those around him with his selfless and generous nature.
Where many saw challenges, threats or obstacles, David found positive
insights and created opportunities. He improved the world we live in
with his wisdom, his initiatives and his love for
others.
David is survived by his wife of 46 years, Aida Arnold, who
shall be forever immensely grateful for having had David in her life.
Also survived by brother, Peter Miller (Rochelle); sister-in-law,
Karen Miller; nephew, David Mark Miller; niece, Jennifer Rebecca
Miller-Wolfson; great-nephew, Charlie Wolfson and great-niece, Shayna
Wolfson.
Aida would like to acknowledge and thank those whose care for
David was so extraordinary…Dr. John Hickey, Dr. Stephen Couban,
Judith James and the staff of St. Martha’s Hospital. Also a
special thanks to those dear friends in Antigonish who have meant so
much to us.
A funeral service for David will be held on Sunday, November
4, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Sydney Memorial Chapel, 49 Welton St., Sydney,
followed by burial in the Hebrew Cemetery. A reception will follow at
the Cambridge Suites, 380 Esplanade, Sydney.
In lieu of flowers for those wishing to consider a memorial
donation in David’s name, please consider St.
Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail
sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of David I Miller 19412018..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia