Obituary of Lawrence MILAN

Surrounded by his family, Lawrence “Johnny” Milan, 86, of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 3, 2015, after a brief illness. Lawrence leaves his wife, Helen (Bandura) and his 8 daughters: Lynn Byrgesen (Bert), Vera Milan Gervais (Marcel), Iris Mailloux (Dennis), Fay Milan, Hope Klassen (Mike), Cherry Milan, Loretta Hooper (Perry), Gail Blashyn (Garry); 12 grandchildren: Shawn Mutch (Jackie), Chad Byrgesen, Jessica McGinnis (Jarid), Ryan Tucker (Susan), Mandy Celik (Jason), Heather Klassen, Kyle Gervais, Justin Hooper, Danai Gervais, Kelsey Blashyn; step-grandsons Roy and Chris Mailloux (Kate); great grandchildren Gracie and Jackson Mutch; and sisters Gladys Roden and Jean Burns. He was predeceased by 10 siblings and granddaughter Shari Byrgesen. Lawrence was born November 26, 1928 in Trochu, Alberta, the youngest son of William Arthur Milan and Laura McGhee. He attended St Mary’s Boys High School in Calgary and graduated from SAIT in Farm Construction and Mechanics in 1944. From 1947-1948 he and his brother Bob Milan marked trails and cut tote roads from where the road ended south of Canmore, along Pocaterra Creek, up and over the Highwood Pass, so that the first surveyors could access the area and make a detailed map of what is now Kananaskis Park. Lawrence married Helen Bandura in Trochu on June 20, 1951. They moved to Calgary where they had eight daughters over the next ten years. Together they shared the joy and struggles of raising a large family and were to have celebrated their 64th anniversary this year. Lawrence spent his life working in excavation and construction, much of this time as a heavy-duty equipment operator with JF Burns Sand & Gravel (later Burnco). In his “spare time” Lawrence used his legendary carpentry skills to continually add to their first family home in Bowness and to build furniture for his wife and family. He crafted a tall dresser for each of his girls, which they all still have decades later. Lawrence left his creative solutions and his DNA in the countless homes, basements and garages that he helped build, fix and renovate. He was a meticulous planner who relied on common sense to make decisions. He analyzed every detail before starting a project so that he could optimize material, storage and use. One great example of his ingenuity was the treasured big blue trailer, “Last Resort”, that he built in 1967. It was designed with built-in storage benches, cabinets for all cooking and gear, as well as tables that sat 25 for dinner and converted to bunk beds to sleep 16…yet it collapsed down on itself for less wind resistance. Time spent vacationing in that trailer remains some of the family’s most cherished memories. First with the blue trailer and later with a travel trailer, Lawrence and Helen travelled across Canada and the US. Additionally they visited many international destinations, both as a couple and with their children and grandchildren. Lawrence loved to travel but he said the best part of any trip was to come home to his own bed! Lawrence loved his children. It was very common to see him doing leg curls with his children (and later grandkids) literally hanging onto his leg, or watch him hooking the kids with his cane and drawing them in for a hug. Extravagant Easter egg hunts were an annual tradition that involved even the adult children. Wrapping Christmas gifts in boxes within bags within boxes is known within the family as “Papa wrapping”. Lawrence was a man with great curiosity, who took time to ask questions and learn a wide range of things. He had a surprising font of knowledge that he willingly shared. He had an incredible memory, which he said was because he worked alone for most of his career, allowing him endless hours to replay and memorize the events in his life. A very religious man, Lawrence spent many hours praying the rosary. He had a healing miracle at Brother André’s chapel in Saint Joseph’s Oratory, many years ago. As a result, he honoured and prayed to Saint Brother André on behalf of his family and friends. Lawrence believed family was life’s greatest blessing. At his request, a private family service was held. In lieu of flowers, please forward donations and/or tributes to Saint Joseph's Oratory (Brother André) Montreal, www.saint-joseph.org/en