Earl Miller, 96, of Edmonton, Alberta, died April 27, 2025, at the Grey Nuns Hospital, after going into hospital from exhaustion. He was stubbornly independent but was no longer able to handle living on his own in a senior’s condo at Shepherds Care where he was receiving excellent Home Care a few times a day.
He was born on May 14, 1928, to parents William and Gertrude Miller in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, working on the farm and while living at home he and his brothers, cousins and friend played in a band at the local school and other venues. He played clarinet and saxophone throughout his life. As a young man he moved to Calgary, Alberta, and married the love of his life Verla Richardson having five children (Sharon, Bill, Todd, Danny and Cindy).
He worked in Calgary with the Canadian Pacific Railway working first in the yard and then getting promoted to a Train Yard Coordinator. He could stand in the yard and watch the trains slowly go through the yard memorizing the numbers of the train cars as they went by and after the train went through he could go into the hump and mark the car numbers down on the sheets in the order they went through. All his life he had an amazing recollection of phone numbers and other numbers because of this ability he learned in his training with C.P. Rail. He also could run across the top of the moving train cars, drop down between them and uncouple the cars that needed to be dropped off into the yard without injury. He would take his young family to Bowness, Banff, and the Calgary Zoo eventually buying a huge cabin tent to take the family camping, a favourite pastime for everyone.
Through his work with C. P. Rail, he was transferred to Edmonton, Alberta and became a Deputy Superintendent. Lorne and Verla wound up moving from Edmonton to Montreal, Quebec, to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, (where unfortunately their son Danny was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer at 14 and passed away at 16). Their son Todd moved from Edmonton to come and live with them and Cindy the last few months while Danny was sick and going through treatments. Shortly after he passed away Lorne was transferred to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Todd moved with them for a year to be with them during their grieving period. Then Todd moved back to Edmonton to pick up with his life again. After Winnipeg, Lorne and Verla moved to Saskatoon again in his last transfer with his job, leaving their daughter Cindy behind to get married. Lorne retired in 1988 and he joined the Shriners Marching Band playing the Glockenspiel and he also enjoyed Golfing, Hunting, and Fishing. Lorne and Verla went on several trips in their various RVs to different places in Canada and the US, including Alaska, along with a caravan group through the Baja. They also went to Hawaii and Portugal and stayed in Yuma many times, as well as going on a few cruises.
In 2002 Lorne and Verla moved back to Edmonton and continued with many of their activities, however, Lorne gave up his fishing and hunting. Instead they went walking in the local mall nearly every morning and joined the Walkers and the Wheelers to go camping and he again joined the Edmonton Shriners Marching Band. They met some very lovely people and became friends with many of them which greatly enriched their lives. Lorne also enjoyed cooking and rarely made the same meal twice. Lorne and Verla felt that a recipe that indicated it would serve 6 would probably be just right for the two of them. Lorne’s biggest asset was his sense of humour and his ability to see the funny side of the situation. This humour he has passed on to his children and grandchildren and get togethers are often full of laughter, joy and often many pranks.
Lorne is survived by his children Sharon/Phil Flemming, Bill/Maria, Todd/Debbie, Cindy/Ron Zimmerman; his eight grandchildren Jennifer/Brad Smith, Ryan, Kevin/Kelsey, Danny/Crystal, Briena/Jessica, Brooke, Danny/Rachael, Jamie/Cody Kelly; and eight great grandchildren Lauren, Piper, Keira, Kaden, Dakota, Logan, Peyton, and one on the way. He also has many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Gertrude Miller, half-sisters Laura, Etta, Margaret, half-brothers Richard and Harold, as well as brothers Phil, Allen, Norman and sister Beatrice, along with his son Danny and his wife Verla Miller.
The family is not going to hold a funeral for Lorne but they do wish to express their heart felt appreciation and thank you to the Shepherds Care Home Care team where Lorne lived for the past eight to nine years, and especially to the Home Care Manager Vikki. These ladies were the reason Lorne was able to continue living in an independent condo situation as long as he did. They wanted to also express their thanks to the wonderful staff and team at the Heritage House Restaurant on the 7th Floor of the same building because they certainly looked after Lorne and his meals especially his big breakfast! The number of times Lorne requested a special group meal for his family be accommodated and the kindness and professionalism this group showed to Lorne and his family and friends was beyond measure.
They also wanted to thank the nurses, doctors, and care team at Unit 51 of the Grey Nuns Hospital prior to his passing, along with the many, many paramedics who often came to help Dad off the floor or ground when he slipped while transferring to and/or from his scooter. They were so patient and kind.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the amazing group of people that Lorne wound up sitting with every day at his meals in the restaurant – especially Don McKinnon who has been a wonderful and Blessed friend to him these past years.
The family would to thank a few more special people in his life. His nieces Karen/Bob Johnston, Rhonda/Mick Kennon, Joyce Bower, Tracy Miller and Etta/Lyle Evans, as well as Wayne and Sheila Penner. These beautiful people have certainly made Lorne and Verla’s lives so very, very special.
If anyone is thinking of sending flowers, the family would prefer a donation to the Alberta Cancer Foundation at cancer.ca or the Alzheimer Society at Alzheimer.ca.
Lorne will be missed by so many people. He made an indelible impression on everyone’s life that he touched. God Bless You All.
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