John Murray Miller

John Miller was a rock star himself by his diverse talents, pursuits, enthusiasm, passions, adventures and hands-on creativity. Music and rock concerts, sailing, family and friends, travel, designing and building, were John’s balance and foundation. With nostalgia, appreciation, respect, gratitude and love, we hold him high in our celebration of the impact that he made in our lives. John passed away suddenly, Monday, July 8, 2024, at his family cottage at the age of 63. Born in Sarnia August 28, 1960, to Jane (Goodison) (d.2016) and Murray Miller (d. 2021). His family moved to Kincardine in 1972 where John spent his youth until he attended Business School at Wilfred Laurier University and graduated with an associate’s degree in computer and information sciences from Conestoga College. Significantly, John’s career was as a senior manager in IT Audit, Security Control and Risk Management. He lived and worked in Waterloo, then moved with his family to Michigan in 1998 before eventually settling in Kingston, ON in 2000, having sailed there together by boat during the summer from Stony Point, NY. A memorable summer sailing the New York Canal system from The Hudson River to Lake Ontario. Sailor, woodworker, canoer, avid reader and music lover (avowed disciple of Henry David Thoreau and The Tragically Hip), skier, swimmer, golfer, handyman and world traveller. He played the tenor saxophone and was on the curling team in high school. Late in life, he enjoyed his calling to volunteer at The Marine Museum of Kingston and crafting building improvements at Al Purdy’s A-Frame home in Ameliasburg. All of this followed his retirement and vocational years at Empire Life. John fulfilled his ‘bucket-list’ by vacations in Europe, Caribbean Islands, Costa Rica, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, golf in Pennsylvania and a most recent Caribbean cruise. He was happiest spending time with Michelle and their cats, Jack and Teddy (“The Kennedys” John called them), watching beautiful sunsets from the dock, having a night out at the local pub and sharing long distance telephone conversations with his sons. The boys would describe him as “the first-hand purveyor of ‘before-it-was coolness' and “the original progenitor of ‘dad rock’ as evidenced by his masterful deejaying of the car radio during family trips.” John Miller is survived by his beloved life partner of eight years, Michelle Lingard; his two sons Jacob (Patrycja) and Jared; brother Bill and sister-in-law Cathy and Barry (Pam), many nephews and nieces and is also fondly celebrated by their mutual friends and family of Michelle. He is pre-deceased by his first wife Wendy (d.2015). A celebration of John’s life for relatives and friends will be from 1-4pm on Saturday, November 2, 2024, in the reception room at MacCoubrey Funeral Home in Cobourg, with memories to be shared at 1:30 pm. As expressions of sympathy, donations to The Neurology department at London Health Sciences Department in London, Ontario, Belleville General Hospital Emergency or ICU Departments, Epilepsy Ontario, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation in honour of John Miller, would be appreciated.