July 26, 1934 – August 7, 2025
Mr. Keith (Bud) MacMillan Sr, age 91 passed away peacefully on Thursday August 7, 2025.
Keith was born in Fort Frances, Ontario on July 26, 1934. As a young man he grew up in Westfort on East Amelia Street with his parents Donald and Jean MacMillan and his brothers Gerry and Kenny.
He started his work career at Ogilvie Flour Plant at the age of 17 and continued there until he took a position with MacMillan Bloedel in Thunder Bay as a knife sharpener retiring in 1989. After retirement he decided to take on a part time job driving school bus for Iron Range.
He met the love of his life Ellen Joan Douglas in 1960, and they were married on December 10, 1960. They soon started their family and life got busy. In November of 1968 his son Mark was tragically killed leaving a very empty spot in his heart. It was a difficult time for him and mom, but they worked together and did the best they could for the rest of us. Our dad was very present in our lives from helping with schoolwork, teaching us how to colour and even going on many school field trips.
Dad took great care of my mom as she had many health issues through out the years, they were married for 40 wonderful years until she passed away in June 2001.
Dad was always trying to get involved in community organizations such as the Elks Lodge, Parking Authority Board and a Safety Committee and even tried to run for the Lakehead School Board. He was never one to shy away from trying to make the community a better place to live.
He loved to travel and was fortunate enough to travel to many different destinations such as Hawaii, Florida, Alberta, British Columbia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Alaska Cruise and Train ride Via Rail Canada. What fun he had.
He was very proud of all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his eyes sparkled when he spoke about them, he always said they all will do great things with their lives.
Our dad passed away peacefully on his own terms at home knowing that he would be united with our mom and brother, sleep well dad until the time comes that we can be together again, you will never know how much we all will miss you, we love you so much.
Keith is lovingly remembered by his children Kelly Salatino (Michael), Keith MacMillan Jr. (Dorothy), Susan McDonald (James), Lisa Todd (Michael), his grandchildren Ashley Beda (Kevin), Ryan Salatino (Melissa), Kristen Salatino (Kyle Smith), Nicole Zamal (Joe), Marc MacMillan (Kathryn Tiboni), Jaymie MacMillan (Trevor Honke), Samantha Kaszas (Stephen), Brigitte McDonald (Robert Hayes), Graeme Todd (Lauren Differ), Victoria Todd, Ryder Todd, his great grandchildren Nicholas and Rylee Beda, Emma Salatino, Harlow Salatino, Evelyn Zamal and Lennox Kaszas,
He is survived by his partner of many years Mary Ferris and her family, we thank them for allowing our dad to be part of their family.
Also survived by his sisters Susan Connor and Joanne Moodie, in-laws David and Rosalie Douglas, George Wigmore, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Ellen, son Mark, parents Donald and Jean MacMillan, brothers Gerry Woodard and Kenny McEachern, in-laws Doreen and Ernie Oakley, Donald and Hilkka Douglas, Shirley and Gus Vanderwey, Margaret Wigmore, Jimmy and Shirley Douglas, Beverley and Bill Danchuk, nephews, Gary Douglas, Jerry Vanderwey and Kevin Wigmore.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday August 16, 2025 at the Da Vinci Centre (340 Waterloo Street South) at 11 o’clock, speeches of remembrance to begin at 11:30. A hot spaghetti lunch will follow, one of Dad’s favourite dishes. Private interment of ashes will take place at St Patrick’s Cemetery.
Should friends so desire, donations can be made in memory of Keith to the Arthritis Society, St. Joseph’s Foundation, and Humane Society, or the charity of your choice.
On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com
