Obituary of Robert Mills

MILLS: Robert (Bob) George passed away peacefully at the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, SK on Friday, December 10, 2010 at the age of 71 years after a brief battle of Hairy Cell Leukemia (which went into remission) and then Sacromatoid Mesothelioma which claimed his life. Bob will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 47 years, Florence; his children, Donna (Hoby) Bruce of Fort Saskatchewan, AB; Diane (Phil) Weighill of Lloydminster, AB and Kevin (Tracy) Mills of Lloydminster, AB. His six grandchildren; Brandon, Landon, Lowell, Logan, Shelby and Ben as well as his very special friend, Brandy. Two sisters; Erna(Tom) Holliday of Elk Point, AB and Audrey (Ed) Mantik of Black Diamond, AB. Two Brother-in-laws, Harold West of Lloydminster, AB and Ron (Barb) West of Steam Mill, NS. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was born May 11, 1939 in Edmonton, AB. He took the majority of his schooling in Hanna, AB. After leaving school, he worked at Precision Machining in Calgary and in 1959 he left for Cornwallis, NS for the Navy Boot Camp. Bob stayed in the Canadian Navy until his honorable discharge in February 1964. Bob met the love of his life, Florence in 1962 and went on to get married in September 1963. The newly married couple moved out west (Edmonton) and Bob began his career selling “Singer” Sewing Machines and then went on to work as a maintenance man at the Royal Genora Club in Edmonton. Bob started working with Husky Oil in 1966 in Lloydminster and continued working for Husky until his early retirement (age 55) in June, 1994. After Bob retired, he dabbled in the following activities: - he was already a farmer but now could spend more time actually being on the fields. - he then went on to work for 6 months as a Manager for Dorset (oil company south of Maidstone, SK). - It wasn’t long after that that COPATA (Crude Oil Production And Transportation Association) called and asked if he’d be their chairman. Bob made several trips to Ottawa to lobby against some of the impractical regulations that were affecting the oil haulers. - He also did snow plowing for Ken Adams for a couple winters. – He and his son (Kevin) started up Mills Equipment (known as “ME”) – which consisted of a Bobcat complete with augers and a water hauling tank and trailer. - Bob held his Class 1A drivers license so was able to drive bus for Glenn Dudding on special trips as well as the Catholic School Division for any extra field/sports trips. - From 2003 to 2009, he contracted to the Husky Oil Environmental Group in Lloydminster and supervised the summer/coop students that were monitoring several groundwater remediation systems. Bob found it amusing that he was now getting paid by Husky to clean up some of the messes that were created under his supervision in his earlier years. The memorial service for Bob was conducted from the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship Church on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with Harold Martin officiating. The eulogy was shared by Carole Conrad and Courtney Ward. The hymns sung were “In the Garden”, “One Day at a Time” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” lead by Marlene Risling and accompanied by Irene Knowlson on the piano. A slideshow tribute was played and accompanied by the music “Alberta Bound” and “Home on the Range”. The honorary pallbearers were Garry Cunningham, Art Bexson, Bob Burrows, Marvin Kryska, Ray Reiber, Garry Lorenz as well as All those Who Shared in Bob’s life. The urnbearer was Kevin Mills. The committal of ashes (Interment) will be at the Lloydminster City Cemetery at a later date. In memory of Bob, donations can be made to the Lloydminster Health Region Foundation or to the charity of your choice. CARDS OF THANKS The family would like to thank everyone that was involved in Bob’s life, his friends and family meant the world to him. A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Shamira Lowton for her care & compassion and keeping Bob comfortable in his last days in the palliative care. To Brenda Servold and the Lloydminster Home Care staff. To Derek Smith for the beautiful slideshow tribute of Bob. To - Dr. Zlatko Kostic, The Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Lloydminster Chemo Dept as well as the Lloydminster 3rd Floor Nursing Staff. To the ladies of the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship for the lunch following the service. Words cannot express our many thanks to all those who sent cards, flowers, phone calls, donations and brought food to the house. Last, but not least, we sincerely thank Glenn McCaw and his staff for their compassion and professionalism in handling all the arrangements. In lieu of thank you cards, the family will be making a donation to the Lloydminster Health Region Foundation. Sincerely, Florence Donna , Hoby, Landon & Logan Diane , Phil, Lowell & Shelby Kevin, Tracy, Brandon & Ben God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you And whispered, Come to Me! With tearful eyes we watched you And saw you pass away And though, we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard-working hands at rest God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the Best!! -Author Unknown Donations in memory of Bob may be made to the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation or to the charity of the donors choice.