November 5, 1934 – August 7, 2010
After a valiant battle with cancer, David passed away peacefully at the Victoria Hospice with his family around him.
Beloved husband of Susan (nee Hendren). Loving father of Tracey Leroux (Robert) and Ross (Kathleen Murphy) and loving grandfather of Jessica, Matthew, James and Andrew Leroux, and Charles McMillan. He is survived by his sister, Anne Phillips (John) and his brother, John McMillan (Robin). Uncle David will be greatly missed by his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and by all his extended Hendren family.
Born in Vancouver, David attended Vancouver College and the University of British Columbia. He spent a long career in the food industry across Canada, including positions as President of Dad’s Cookies, Associated Biscuits and William Nielson. In 1991 he became CEO of Island Farms Dairy and retired in 2004. In addition to being Past Chair of the Royal BC Museum and the Victoria Hospice Foundation, he was a member of the Thrifty Foods Advisory Board, the Advanced E-Commerce Research Systems Board of Directors, and the Boards of a number of other private corporations. He also served on the Boards of the Salvation Army and the Victoria Hospice Society and was a member of the Victoria Executive of the Sovereign Order of St John.
David was an avid gardener who used green principles long before it became fashionable, and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with others. He was a late blooming but keen golfer, an eager fisherman, and a true people person who greatly enjoyed the wide range of individuals he met through his involvement with corporate boards of directors, charitable organizations and social groups.
A Funeral Service will be held in ST. GEORGE THE MARTYR ANGLICAN CHURCH, 3909 St. George’s Road, the Reverend Dr. Richard LeSueur officiating, on Monday, August 16th at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Victoria Hospice Foundation, 1510 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8S 5J2 or the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre, 2410 Lee Avenue, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, would be appreciated. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com
17 Responses
Dear Susan, Tracey and Ross,
I’m sorry to hear about David. I came across his obit only recently, so I thought I should extend my condolences from the Livingstone family, your BC cousins. My dad, Don Livingstone and my uncle Alastair knew David when they were all growing up in Vancouver from the 1930s onward. Our Aunt May thought very highly of her nephews and nieces, but David was one of her favourites and she had many good memories of him, which she passed along to our family.
Sincerely,
Kenn Livingstone
Dear Susan: We were so sorry to hear about David’s passing. He was a wonderful person – tough in business but also a great friend. We did have some great times – Xmas parties at the farm, your wedding and my stays with both of you in Victoria.
Love Barb & Tom
Dear Susan:
We were terribly saddened to hear about David. Art e-mailed me yesterday. It is doubly hard as he and Tom are almost the same age. He was a wonderful person and we have some great memories – your wedding, the farm parties, a corn roast and of course my stays with you in Victoria among others.
David was a special person!
All our love
Tom & Barb
Barb & Tom
Hi Susan and family
Just returned from being away, and heard David had passed away. David will never be forgotten for everything he did for Island Farms, and for me personally. I have become a better person because of him. Being on the board I felt privileged to know this special person. May he rest in peace. May God keep you and all the family in his love.
Mary Hof
Dear Susan, Tracy and Ross,
We were very saddened to hear of David’s passing. We were very priviliged to have known him as the CEO of Island Farms. David was a very special man, who cared deeply.
Our prayers go out to you and we sent you our deepest sympathies.
Sincerely,
Fred and Marjan Wikkerink
Dear Susan,
I am deeply saddened to hear of David’s passing.
Joanne and I send you and your family our deepest sympathies.
David was, is, and will continue to be a very influential and special person. He left a deep impression on everyone he connected with through his discipline on working hard and playing hard; and of course his never ending compassion and love.
We will all miss him greatly.
It is with deep sadness to hear about the passing of our long-time family friend, Mr. McMillan.
Mr. McMillan and my father, George Bissett, were colleagues and friends back in the days of Dad’s Cookies and it was always a pleasure to have ‘Mr. McMillan’ come for a visit at our house. As I remember, Mr. McMillan was a kind an gentle soul and always had a way to bring laughter into the room.
As I see from the obituary, Mr. McMillan continued to touch people’s lives throughout his career and well into retirement. I imagine him as an active member of society and a fun-loving grandfather too.
May you find peace with your loving family and friends,
Love from,
The Bissett Children (Diane, Maureen, Craig and Michele)