Obituary of Alfred Valentine Miller
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MILLER, Alfred Valentine “Val”
On the morning of Friday, November 16, 2018, Alfred Valentine “Val” Miller passed away in the same place where he had been born 97 years before – the Pasqua Hospital (formerly the Grey Nuns Hospital). In between those two brief visits to the Pasqua, Val lived a long and eventful life that included surviving smallpox as a child, serving his country in war, riding motorcycles into his 90s, and using his quick wit to make friends with people of all ages.
Born in Regina on September 28, 1921 to Alfred Miller and Isabella (Robertson) Miller, Val was the elder of two siblings. He attended Benson School and Luther College, after which he enlisted in the army upon the outbreak of World War II. On June 6, 1944, Val landed on Juno Beach six hours into the D-Day invasion, playing what he modestly said was a very small role in helping the Allied forces liberate Europe. Val lost many friends at that time and experienced life at its worst, but the war did help define him in two positive ways: it sharpened his wry sense of humour, and began his 75-year love affair with motorcycles.
Upon returning to Regina from Europe in 1946, Val married Margret (Jessie) MacPherson, who had also served during the war. He and Jessie had two children, Sharon and James. In 1946, Val also began working in the Customs and Excise branch of the federal government, where he stayed until his retirement in 1976. During his 42-year retirement, much of which was spent in Moose Jaw, he continued riding motorcycles, usually logging about 15,000 kilometres each year. Val also became an avid golfer, spending countless hours with friends at the golf course in Mortlach. He rode his Harley-Davidson until he was 93, and golfed right up until this past summer.
Val was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Jessie; as well as his sister, Claire. He is survived by his daughter Sharon MacLean; his son James; and his three grandchildren, Marcie Tulloch, Scott Miller (Nadine), and Keri Wingert (Steve). Val is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Maggie and Ethan; seven nieces and nephews; and many other relatives on the MacPherson and King sides of the family. He had a special relationship with his niece, Maureen, and his great-nephew, Wade. Many friends were like family to him, among them, Doug and Vicki Blanc, Lawrence and Sharon Campbell, Donnie Thompson, and Ross Moore.
A celebration of Val’s life will be held at a later date. Val’s family would like to thank the Allan Blair Cancer Centre and the Palliative Care Unit at the Pasqua Hospital for the care he received during the last months of his life, and would appreciate that any donations in Val’s memory be made to either of those two wonderful facilities.
Val lived a long and healthy life on his own terms, enjoyed an almost-unimaginable 42-year retirement, rode a motorcycle more miles than nearly anyone alive, had a drink with Bing Crosby, and played countless rounds of golf with friends. Although he did not always express it in words, he loved his family a great deal. Val’s sharp wit, incredible memory, and quiet generosity will be missed by everyone he charmed – and also sometimes infuriated – over the course of his 97 years.
