MILLINGTON, Graham 1937 – 2023

It is with deep sadness that the family of Graham Millington of Vulcan, AB, announce his sudden passing at home on November 17, 2023, at the age of 86 years.

Graham was born April 24, 1937 in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. To much of Graham’s credit, after WWII when he was 10 years old his family immigrated to North America, coincidentally on November 17, 1947. From that point Graham lived his life in a way that stood true to the meaning of living life to the fullest, and to this day Graham’s outlook on life and many fulfilled passions have continued to shape and enrich the lives of his family.

Graham’s journey began with his passion for flying, an enduring love discovered when he was a child, that in his earlier years after serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force took him across northern Canada and the Canadian arctic circle as a bush pilot, all the way down to California and Louisiana where he flew both with Los Angeles Airways, and Bullock Helicopters, transporting people to and from Grand Isle, Louisiana to offshore oil platforms. Graham eventually settled in Calgary, AB with his family, where he turned his focus onto his love of photography/videography, capturing valued memories of people during their wedding days, dance competitions, the great outdoors and of his loved ones. Graham also proudly served 31 accident-free years with the City of Calgary Transit. Upon retirement, Graham made his way to Vulcan, AB, where he enjoyed everything the Town of Vulcan has to offer, whether it was playing pool at the Legion, curling with the locals, fishing at the pond, playing crib, getting his favourite Chinese food at Amy’s, or walking his beloved dog Lindee around the 6th/7th hole of The Vulcan Golf and Country Club. Much of Graham’s last 20 years were spent living and laughing abundantly with his loving partner, Marvel Ziebert, whom he cherished deeply and missed incredibly after her passing in January 2022.

Outside of his professions, Graham’s passions were central to spending time outdoors, music and of course working on and flying his personal aircrafts. It brought Graham much joy to spend time with his families traveling, hiking, canoeing, camping, sailing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, skating, tobogganing, skiing, bike riding, playing board games and watching the stars. Music is something that Graham particularly rooted in the lives of his children, grown through sharing his love for singing, playing the piano/organ, listening to the Tabernacle Choir, attending symphonies, enjoying his favourite musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, and going to musical Broadway shows. Graham’s happy place was always the local airport hangers, where you would find him working on his personal aircraft for hours on end, and when he was able to, taking his plane to the skies on a beautiful sunny day. Graham also kept up his interests in personal photography, automobiles and caring for his furry four-legged family members. Whether it was teaching his grandchildren how to use a camera or to talk all things cars, proudly sharing photos posted in the Vulcan paper, driving his Miata with Marvel with the top down on a summer afternoon, viewing AKC champion dog shows with his family, or simply walking Lindee while watching the spring tree buds form or the Canadian geese goslings spreading their wings and learning to fly, he always saw the beauty in everything he encountered and shared his love for these things with those around him. Graham will be profoundly missed and will be forever remembered for being a compassionate father, a loving and listening grandfather, and an affectionate partner.

Graham forever lives in the hearts of those he touched.
Nothing loved is ever lost.
Graham’s charming ways and smiling face are a pleasure to recall.
He had a kindly word for each. He died and is loved by all.
God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Graham is survived by his children Douglas (Chris) Millington, Hayley (Richard) Huefner, Frank (Tara) Millington, and Christie (Cory) Webb; his grandchildren Jesse Millington, Katrina Millington-Olorenshaw, Kassandra (Robert) Lane, Christopher Huefner, Brooklyn (Samuel) Kennedy, Jordan Millington, Emery Millington, Tanner Millington, Dexton Webb, and Claira Webb; his great grandchildren Levi Lane, Wesley Kennedy, and Tauriel Kennedy; his brothers Chris (Linda) Millington and Rodney Millington; nephews Derek Millington and Jim (Ann-Marie) Millington, Jason (Katrina) Millington; his prior partners; Vivian Millington and Dinah Millington; and his dog Lindee. He was predeceased by his parents Eric and Mary Millington, his brother Keith (Pat) Millington, his son Lionel Millington, and his common-law partner Marvel Zeibert.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Vulcan on December 9th, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 21 (240 Sinclair Road, Vulcan AB) for all that would like to join, followed by a private family memorial held in the spring of 2024.

Tributes/donations in Graham’s memory can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 21 or the Ladies Auxiliary Branch 21.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.