Passed away with family by his side on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Sault Area Hospital, just having celebrated his 75th birthday.
Brian lived most of his life on the family farm in Ophir and will now join his parents, Clifford and Katherine Mills, and older sister Karen Shaule. Brian will be remembered warmly by his sister Kathy Lang and brother-in-law, Tom Lang, by his niece, Janice Kent, and brother-in-law, Roger Shaule (Corinne).
Extended Mills and Sturgeon family surrounded him growing up and continued to be important to him throughout his life. Brian liked to call to check in on various aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as former neighbours from the area. Most conversations started with asking how someone was doing and then perhaps inquiring about your current vehicle or an old tractor they used to drive.
Brian was fascinated by watching trains, especially when we visited Aunt Winnogene in Bruce Station, and he loved watching the tractor trots. From a young age, he would fix various tractors on the farm; you just might not know which other tractor he took the part from. When Tom bought what he thought was a 1949 Ferguson Tractor, Brian told him it was a '50 because the '49 model didn't have running boards. And, he was right.
Brian's own sweet ride was a Honda ATV, moving from the three-wheel variety to his trademark four-wheeler. As much as he loved sitting down for dinner, he was equally driven to get dinner over with so he could put on his helmet and ride to the mailbox to pick-up the mail. He also loved to cook, his signature dish being hamburger macaroni goulash. It was very good. Unfortunately he kept his recipe a secret. Brian visited neighbours on his bike and generally kept tabs on what was happening in the area; he was fastidious about keeping up with oil changes and other maintenance on his bikes over the years.
For many decades, on any summer Saturday, you'd find Brian fishing at Skookum Lake. Whether in a boat in the middle of the lake, or on his four-wheeler, Brian would have the biggest smile on his face.
Special thanks to the nurses and doctors in the ICU in the hospital for their support throughout this year. Brian's family extends sincere gratitude to the staff and volunteers at Algoma Manor, Thessalon Hospital, and the Sault Area Hospital for their on-going compassion and care.
A celebration of Brian's life will be held, at a later date, when he will be interred at the Sands Cemetery beside his Mom, his Dad, and his sister, Karen. Any donations in Brian's memory can be made by cheque or online to Algoma Manor, Thessalon; North Shore Health Network (Thessalon Hospital); Sault Area Hospital; or Ophir Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangement entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East - 705-759-2522). Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or a message of condolence for Brian's family.