Obituary of Fred Miller

Fred Miller

January 8, 1932 – June 9, 2024

Fred Miller, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away with his family by his side on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Dad was a hardworking entrepreneur, Firefighter, Realtor, and business owner.  He was always on the look out for a new business opportunity.

Born in Brandon to William (Bill) and Sophie Miller, he grew up with five siblings in a modest home in the North-end of Brandon. The extent of his education was completed at David Livingston and Earl Oxford Schools, when he at sixteen he began working odd jobs to help out his family. Some of those odd jobs included picking potatoes, selling newspapers, setting pins at the local bowling alley, and cleaning Stetson hats. As a young adult, he worked at McGavins Bakery, CP Rail, Anchor Industries, and King’s Paint Shop.

While working at King’s Paint Shop, he stopped in to buy some fruit nearby at Jack’s Grocery where he met the love of his life, Myrtle (Myrt) Addison. Dad and mom were married on November 7, 1959 in St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. Two years following, they started their family with the birth of their first son, Brian. Sixteen months following they gave birth to daughter Sandy and six years later, they had their second son Gary.

Dad began his firefighting career January 2, 1961 which continued for the next twenty-nine years. Dad described firefighting as 95% boredom and 5 % panic but this was a steady paycheck to feed his family.  As a side job Dad began selling real estate and eventually ventured out on his own as a Broker to start F. Miller Real Estate. While selling real estate, he met many people and developed some lifelong friendships. He was a partner in People’s Market Place, Country Kitchen, our apartment block on Victoria Avenue, as well as South Bay Properties at Onanole. He always had various side hustles on the go! While juggling multiple jobs providing for his family, he had limited time for family and years later dad shared with each of us that his biggest regret was that he wished he had spent more time with his kids.

When dad did manage to take some time away from his business ventures, you would most likely find him at our cottage at Clear Lake which he built in 1974, on our driveway in Brandon and hauled the pieces to assemble onsite at the Onanole lot and we still enjoy it today.  He and mom loved spending time fishing and visiting with family and friends. Many late nights were spent around the bonfire where lots of stories were told and hot dogs and marshmallows were roasted. When mom and dad were not fishing at Clear Lake they would head off with a group of close friends to The Pas to fish.  Dad established more friendships and business connections on their trips.

Later in life, you could find dad in the garden or in his backyard workshop. Dad was an avid gardener who grew some of the healthiest tomato plants, which produced huge tomatoes. He was always giving away the bounty from his garden. In his workshop he crafted planters and birdhouses that were often gifted to family and friends. He had a passion and talent for finishing furniture for his children and friends. These pieces hold special memories for each of us.

His grandchildren often reflect on stories he has shared with them about his life and advice for living a good life. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren immensely.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Sophie, his loving wife, Myrt, his sisters Pauline and Lillian, as well as many other family members and lifelong friends. He is remembered, loved, and missed by his children Brian (Veronica), Sandra (David), Gary (Barbara), as well as his grandchildren: Chad (Kristyn), Meagan (Cory), Dane (Rikki), Shea (Jenna) and Ashley (Kyle) and his great grandchildren: Jaxon, Annica, Kashtin, Kooper, Aria, Miller, Addison, Mya, Owen, Chase and Brooks.

Dad was laid to rest at a private family graveside service on June 19, 2024 at the Brandon Cemetery.  A celebration of his life was held with immediate and extended family following the service. It was with heavy hearts that we said good-bye to a man who impacted so many lives through family, friends, work, and businesses.