Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Jack Millar in Ottawa on September 14, 2021, at the age of 78. Born to John and Lillian Millar on December 21, 1942, in Duncan, BC, and raised in Mesachie Lake, BC, he earned a BA and MSc in Zoology from UBC. After marrying Donna Elliott in 1968, they moved to Alberta where he began his PhD studies at the University of Alberta. After their son Jay arrived in 1971, they moved to London, Ontario, where Jack started his career at the University of Western Ontario as an Assistant Professor of Zoology. Their second son Darren was born in 1973, followed by Steven in 1977.
In his long career as a Professor of Zoology at Western, he was a well-respected teacher. He mentored countless students and conducted an extensive research program involving small mammals, mostly mice, in the Kananaskis region of Alberta. He was instrumental in designing and delivering an inter-university course in Alpine Ecology, and was active in administration, serving as Chair of the Zoology Department for ten years. He also served on the granting committee of NSERC for many years, and, toward the end of his career, on the Safety Council at Western.
While his academic career was central to his life, he spent much time with his family, and pursued interests in photography, genealogy, armchair history, bird feeding, pumpkin growing, DIY carpentry, reading, writing, and farm maintenance. He retired from the university in 2013 and adjusted to the life of a gentleman farmer at his Windswept Farm near Lucan, Ontario. In the last years of his life, Jack worked diligently compiling and writing a chronicle of Mesachie Lake, which he completed early in 2021.
Jack will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially by Donna, his wife of 53 years; his three sons, Jay, Darren, and Steven, and their wives, Hazel, Catherine, and Becky; and by his grandchildren, Reid, Cole, Joey, Nora, Patrick, Salem, Luella, and Rosemary.
Cremation to take place in Ottawa the week of September 20, 2021. A celebration of his life is planned in London, Ontario, for a later date, as COVID allows. Details will follow.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Jack Steven Millar December 21 1942 September 14 2021 (age 78)..
Death notice for the town of: Mississauga, Province: Ontario