Obituary of Earl James MILLER

As he wished, Earl passed away peacefully at home in Calgary - a dignified, humourous and intelligent man to the end. He had a varied and entrepreneurial career in the oil patch and Canadian North; the pioneering years of the 1950’s were an excellent foundation for his work hard, play hard style of life. Earl is survived by wife of 23 years Sharon (Adams); his children Tom Miller, Patricia Newson, Joanne Swainson (Ed); grandchildren Tara Swainson, Jeff Swainson (Sunisa), Laura Newson and Francisco Pino; and his step children Debbie and Jamie Johnsen. He was predeceased by his daughter Marilyn in 1983, wife Maisie in 1985, and by parents James and Alice, brother George and sister Jean LaSuta. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Born at home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Earl played collegiate soccer, won academic awards and was proud to be the Valedictorian of Bedford Road Collegiate Institute’s 1947 class. Shortly after he married Lavina Warkentin in 1951, he left Firestone Tire’s Calgary purchasing department to commence articles with Price Waterhouse. During the 1950’s, Earl and Lavina had a new baby every two years. Earl played semi-professional soccer, earned the moniker “Silver Tongued Devil” at Toastmasters, and earned his Chartered Accountant designation in 1957. He joined Buchanan Barry Miller and French as a partner in 1963. Earl’s intellect, business acumen and love of challenge flourished in the pre-Enron decades when a handshake made a deal. He took on a wide range of roles as a professional accountant and businessman, often on different sides of the same table. He was treasurer or chief financial officer of many private and public oil and gas companies providing expertise in accounting, tax, acquisition structuring, financing and at times geology. Earl was a thoughtful mentor, and an ethical man who implemented “win-win” sometimes to his own loss. More significant roles include President of Northward Airlines 1970 – 1980 and Chief Financial Officer of JC Sproule and Associates for 35 years, retiring in 1995. Earl continued to provide leadership, accounting and administrative support for a working interest joint venture until his death The “play hard” side of life included fly fishing every beaver dam in the Water Valley area, bird hunting and beer drinking throughout southern Alberta. He founded the Big Country Field Trial Club which was a base for many friendships in the Hemaruka area and North America, published Fish and Game and automobile magazines, and participated in decades of bridge at the Petroleum and Ranchmen’s Clubs. Earl travelled extensively including the USA, Scotland, England, Chilean trout streams, Europe and visited almost every settlement in the Canadian Arctic. Earl had a keen interest in political and business affairs, reading the newspaper and complaining about income tax right up to April 30. He was a proud supporter of the Conservative and Reform Parties. As an ardent history buff Earl loved to read about the Prairies, Canada and its North and his Scots heritage. He had great respect for our war veterans, and was proud to have been a co-founder of Vets’ Angels at our Colonel Belcher Veterans Hospital. In Earl’s memory, donations can be made to Calgary Health Trust, Vets’ Angels Program https://secure.calgaryhealthtrust.ca/earlmiller. A celebration of Earl’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, May 9th, at The Uplands Recreation Centre 20 Hawkside Close NW. “Like a fallen oak, he leaves a lonesome place against the sky”