We lived next to the Milners when we first moved to Edmonton in 1957. Besides being a great friend of my father’s he was also my cub scout leader.

When my dad died he came up from Calgary and delivered a tremendous eulogy for his friend. I still have the handwritten copy to this day.

Condolences Ann, Janet, Margaret and Amy

Doug Mitchell

When I first joined Esso Resources Canada as an exploration geochemist I was partnered with Dave. He gently eased me into coping with life in a big company and became a significant mentor for me until he retired in the mid 1980’s. Amazingly he was a self-taught geochemist who had returned from an assignment in Libya to find that the resident geochemists at Esso had moved on. He took on the challenge and ran the geochemical effort at a time when wells were being drilled in all of Canada’s prospective basins. He was open minded to all new ideas and participated in a complete update of the geochemistry labs in Calgary. He and Betty always made us feel welcome at their home and generated many fine memories.

Over the years since we stopped working together we exchanged many emails, Christmas cards and more lately poems!

Dr. Stephen Creaney

Somerset, England

On behalf of my spouse, Matina, and myself, I send our sincerest condolences to the entire Milner family on the recent passing of David Milner. Mr. Milner was very good friends with my parents Norman and Maureen Elsey, both deceased. I so enjoyed when Mr. and Mrs. Milner would visit my parents at their summer cottage on Lake of Bays. Matina and I were able to join the four of them as we laughed and shared meals each time they came and visited. I remember Mr. Milner as a very kind and genuine personality. I completely understood why my parents were good friends of both Mr. and Mrs. Milner.

May God's healing hands be upon all of you and that your memories of your father/grandfather fill your hearts.

Sincerely,

Scott Elsey

Toronto, Ontario

As suggested, we will make a donation in memory of Mr. Milner.

David was a colleague in our book club. His avid reading and his interest in and curiosity about the big questions in life were a great inspiration to all of us. I was thrilled to receive personalized copies of his last couple of books of poetry. Best of all, our little side-conversations always affirmed our mutual quest for deeper knowing and awareness. I will miss his intelligent and warm-hearted companionship. David Haigh

I met David first when we worked together at Teknica, after he retired from Esso. Several months later I met my wife, Cynthia Wisener, and was surprised to discover “Uncle David” was her godfather. So David and Betty became friend and family who we shared with at their homes in Calgary and the wee house at Sturgeon. My favorite moment came about a year after we met, when he walked into my office. “I quit”, he said. “I’m 67 years old, I billed 27 days in May, and I should be at the cottage”. David was a model for me, always finding the humor in any situation.

I extend my deep sorrow and sympathy to David's beloved 'girls - Anne, Janet, Margaret and Amy and families. I am privileged to have been a parishioner with David and Betty at Christ Church and St. Martin's and to have volunteered alongside them on federal political campaigns in support of Harvie Andre, Joe Clark, Stephen Harper and Bobbie Sparrow, to name a few. At St. Martin's David served as a Scripture Reader and periodically delivered the sermon. His preaching often included a birdwatching story and the use of a short poem to simply scripture. I so enjoyed greeting David on his arrival to Sunday service at Christ Church. He always had a sparkle in his eyes. I am grateful knowing he is reunited with his soulmate, Betty. David was a faithful servant and a kind person. His presence will be missed. With blessings, Kate

I regret I won't be attending the funeral because I will be in the field, at a former Imperial field that I bet David had something to do with during his career. I am very grateful David was part of my life. He had a huge influence on my spiritual journey and two books he recommended had a big impact: Mind and Nature by Gregory Bateson and The Phenomenon of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. I will miss him.