George Milne was my professional mentor. His guidance, leadership and wisdom during my years at BP Canada were responsible for launching my career in retail petroleum marketing. George was a visionary. He was driven in everything he did. "Go big or go home" was his motto. Without question George left Mother Earth in much better shape than how he found it. What a legacy he has left behind. George remained a loyal friend of mine for over 35 years. I am left with both sadness by his passing, but also a treasure of golden memories. My sincere sympathies to Helen and his entire Family.

God Bless,

George Benson

George Milne was a gentleman and an outstanding Canadian. I first met George at the Museum of the Regiments where he worked tirelessly to promote programming, especially for our youth. George loved attending the Burns Suppers at the Ramchmans Club where for many years he proudly proposed the Royal Toast. This was particularly relevant as George had met Queen Elizabeth on more than one occasion. Rest In Peace George.

Stuart Chalmers

Dear friend Helen and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. George was a great man, and special friend, I enjoyed volunteers with through several organizations in Calgary. George was a highly valuable and respected volunteer of the Board of directors of Chinook Country Historical Society, for so many years, where the first time I met George in 2001. I remember how he invited me to site with him and Helen during AGM dinner as he told interesting stories about the history of Canada and Alberta, and some funny stories its people. I am going to miss those stories. He also introduced me to Honorable Gard of The Museum of Regiment, currently The Military Museum of Calgary. He was a dedicated volunteer and never sought praise or attention. George was just content to do the best job he could and he always succeeded. He was very passionate about helping others, particularly The Army Cadet League in the capacity of Fundraising. Someone so special can never be forgotten.

I want you and Barbara, Louise, to let you know, that my thoughts are with you sharing in your sorrow, with Love and Friendship.

Haifa Selo of Calgary

Dear friend Helen and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. George was a great man, and special friend, I enjoyed volunteers with through several organizations in Calgary. George was a highly valuable and respected volunteer of the Board of directors of Chinook Country Historical Society, for so many years, where the first time I met George in 2001. I remember how he invited me to site with him and Helen during AGM dinner as he told interesting stories about the history of Canada and Alberta, and some funny stories its people. I am going to miss those stories. He also introduced me to Honorables Gard of The Museum of Regiment, currently The Military Museum of Calgary. He was a dedicated volunteer and never sought praise or attention. George was just content to do the best job he could and he always succeeded. He was very passionate about helping others, particularly The Army Cadet League in the capacity of Fundraising. Someone so special can never be forgotten.

I want you and Barbara, Louise, to let you know, that my thoughts are with you sharing in your sorrow, with Love and Friendship.

Haifa Selo of Calgary

To the Milne loved ones deepest condolences. George positively impacted my life during my tenure at the museum. He was an incredible person and his advice to me was immeasurable. Deep respect for a most amazing man. Hugs to all his loved ones. Respectfully, Ms Ranjit Gill

Dear Helen and Family: I was saddened to hear of George's passing away as I always thought of him as "larger than life"!

I have sent you a letter in the mail to share some memorable experiences of working with George at Petro-Canada - I hope that they will be meaningful to you and will warm your hearts. Sincerely, Ford Ralph

I first met George in 1969 when he was Merchandising Manager in Montreal, prior to his secondment to BP's head office in London England. Little did I know that George would return to Canada as Retail Sales Manager and I would enjoy many years working with him in both BP and Petro-Canada. We had many wonderful experiences over our working years, but suffice to say that George was one of the most creative and knowledgeable Retail Marketing Managers I ever had the privilege to work with. George reminds me of the this wonderful quotation by the Marquis of Montrose:

"He either fears his fate too much, or his deserts are small, that dares not put it to the touch, to win or lose it all".

Our sincerest condolences and love go out to Helen and daughters Louise and Barbara and son-in-law Scot.

Robert and Carmen Johnson, Ontario

I am so saddened to have heard about the passing of George.. I have so many memories of George since i worked with him for 10 plus years with the Calgary Highlanders Foundation and with the Museum of the Regiments. George had done so much in his life and will be sadly missed. I am glad that I had the chance to see him last January and got to chat with him about the good old days. My thoughts and prayers are with Helen and the family. I have and always will have so many fond memories of our time together. Rest in peace George.

Debbie Spaan (WO Retired) Calgary Highlanders

Once, having learned George's little ways he became a very sincere friend who could always be relied upon to support whatever it was one was aiming for. A gracious man who taught me what it meant to be a Canadian. Will miss you George. May your family live with their memories for many a year . Affectionately PJ and Katusha. Ontario

Marg and I are deeply saddened by George's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Helen and family.

We have been blessed by having met many, many outstanding individuals in our time. George stood taller than most and is fondly remembered as much for his graciousness, enlightening knowledge, and witty humour as he is for his many unbelievable accomplishments. No one can match him for his unselfish support to numerous organizations to which he dedicated himself by his enthusiasm, unending energy, and benevolence. His focus on the development and encouragement of youth was especially important to him and a model to others.

We have lost a mentor, a leader, a colleague, and, most important of all, a friend.

Diane and I were very saddened to hear of the passing of George, and send our sincere condolences to Helen and family. We were one of the lucky ones that had the opportunity to have George and Helen in our lives. In 1988, as a young officer, with a young family in the Strathcona’s, I was about to deploy to Cyprus, when George and Helen volunteered to be our sponsor family and look out for my family while I was gone. George and Helen opened their home to Diane and the boys and included them in many of their family events while I was away ... they especially took to the boys who were not shy about ripping around George's backyard and flower beds!

I also had the good fortune to accompany George for a week when he came to visit the Regiment in Cyprus. The Commanding Officer (Keith Eddy) gave us his official “UN 003” Mercedes staff car and told me to show George around. That's all we needed; we set off with George's list of places he wanted to see and some that maybe he shouldn’t, but with his stately demeanour in the back seat of Col Keith’s official staff car and a little fabrication, many a gate guard were fooled. We had a lot of laughs.

Thanks George, RIP

Colonel (ret’d) Roy Forestell

Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians)

Carol and I are saddened to learn of George's passing. We remember well his many contributions to the founding of The Museum of the Regiments and its evolution to become The Military Museums, among the finest of such Canadian institutions. The recognition of his dedication to the preservation of Canada's great military legacy is well justified and appreciated by all those who worked with or have admired the results of his passion.

We offer to Helen and the family our heartfelt condolences on his passing. May he rest in peace.

Barry Ashton

Condolences to you and your family Barb. Thinking about all of you at this time.

Sarabeth Carnat

We are so sorry to read of your fathers passing, Barb. His life sounds amazing and full of family memories. We remember the sweltering day at McMahon stadium all those years ago listening to the Queen's speech, now knowing that your father wrote it! Such serendipity. We hope you, Bill, and family take care in this difficult time.

Tim and Susan Creelman

So sorry to hear of George's passing. I've known him for 20 years through the Army Cadet League of Canada Alberta Branch Southern Zone. He was a wonderful man and had many good stories. He Will be missed.

Judy Barry

What a wonderful man! He had a zest for life, a profound sense of commitment and boundless interest in other people. My warmest condolences to his family and friends. George leaves a gap that can't be filled except by our loving memories of him.

George Milne was one of those individuals who knew no bounds. More importantly, he took everyone he met along with him even to places many of us did not know existed or those we feared to tread because of our ignorance of them. To him, there were no limits. He set goals well beyond the expectation of others and met them every time. Often, as high a bar as he set for any project, he frequently, if not routinely, exceeded it. It helped greatly that George saw everyone as an equal and approached his peers and colleagues, those in high office, and those much younger and less experienced than him with respect. All of this was real and opened doors to him that might be closed otherwise.

George was incredibly well read and knowledgeable and relished discussions of any subject. A history buff, there was little one could surprise him with but he listened as well as informed. In many ways, he was a natural entertainer.

I first met George at the Regiment when he brought me a fund raising project to assist the annual maintenance costs of the Strathcona Mounted Troop. Like so many of the Regiment's benefactors, he gave generously of his time and experience. Before the completion of one fund raising project, he normally launched off on another. Indeed, George normally had several irons in the fire at the same time and saw opportunities that others could not. Fortunately, George favoured no one organization with his generosity. He felt strongly about institutions such as the military but, more importantly, he valued programmes that supported youth activities.

He will be remembered fondly by everyone who came into contact with him. As a mentor, contributor, and friend, George had it all.

Keith Eddy