Jack McMillan

Sad to announce that John Douglas “Jack” McMillan passed away at Mt. Cartier Court Extended Care, Revelstoke on Sunday, January 24th, 2021 at the age of 97 years.  There will be no formal funeral service. 

Jack was born in Vancouver, B.C. on November 29, 1923.  He lived and grew up on E 10th Street in a home built by his Dad. Jack spent a lot of time in summers living with his sister Betty and her family in Butte Montana. There he helped out in the family monument business.   When he was of age, he used to sing in the local establishments and take payment in refreshments. When he wasn’t singing or helping in the family business, he was endlessly entertaining to his sister and brother-in-law and two nieces keeping them in stitches.  He kept that sense of humour and quick wit his entire life.

On September 3, 1942 Jack began his long career with CPR starting as a wiper on the old Steam Engines.  Like many young men of his day, he took furlough from his job to join the forces during WW2.   He joined the Navy and was a Stoker on HMCS Saguenay from 1943 until 1945. He returned to his position at CPR after the war and in October 1945 he qualified as a Locomotive Engineer, the job he held until his retirement in 1986. In 1962 Jack transferred from the Vancouver division to Revelstoke Mountain Division.   The family made their home in Revelstoke until February 1981 when Sheena had enough of the snowy climate.   Jack and Sheena moved back to the Coast and Jack commuted, finishing his career working on the Pusher at Rogers.  Eventually they decided to move to Nanaimo where he had relatives from both sides of his family.  They loved Nanaimo.   In 2010 they moved to Abbotsford to live in an Independent Living senior’s residence and resided there until Sheena’s death in 2015.  Jack stayed in Abbotsford and lived in his granddaughter and her husband’s basement suite until his advancing years required him to have more care. In Abbotsford he had a wonderful kind incoming home care aide named Shannon who he missed very much when he returned to Revelstoke in July 2020. He was happy to be closer to his daughter Carol and grandson Rob who he was so proud of.   He enjoyed living at Mt Cartier Court very much, especially the food and his good friend Bryon.  Sadly, Jack wasn’t able to leave to visit his daughter’s home or be taken for drives to see the changes in Revelstoke since he visited years earlier or have meals out in restaurants or enjoy the music downtown in the summer.   All due to the COVID 19 virus and the need to keep the elderly isolated to protect them.  Jack succumbed after a short acute illness.

Jack was very proud to be a Freemason and life member of Kootenay Lodge #15 in Revelstoke for over 60 years.

Jack was predeceased by his wife Sheena, parents Thomas and Jean McMillan, sister Betty Bouchard, niece Joyce Bouchard and son-in-law Randy Knecht. 

He is survived by his daughter Carol Knecht, grandson Robert Knecht, granddaughters Kristi (Dominic) Charlie, Kaylee Knecht (Jesse Booth), great grandchildren Reid Charlie and Raegan Charlie; niece Shirley Boldt of Washington state and numerous great nieces and nephews and cousins in Washington State and in Nanaimo.