Donald Bowers Miller

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Donald Bowers Miller’s death on Sunday, January 11, 2026. We have lost a beloved family member and dear friend.

Don was born on February 13, 1939, in Edmonton, Alberta to William “Donald” Miller and Lillian Mary Miller (nee Bowers.)

He was predeceased by his older sister, Barbara Collins, and her husband, Bill, and his daughter’s mother, Eleanor.

Don is survived by his loving wife and partner of 45 years, Mary Mouat, dear daughter, Tara Kingman (Paul) of Powell River, brother Douglas (Gala) of Ottawa, sister Marilynne Elliott of Kelowna, Jeremy Mouat (Lynda Ross) of Fredericton, Wendy Mouat (Preston Lamp) of Bellingham and Jennifer Ritson (Phil) of Salt Spring Island. Don is also survived by Eleanor’s brothers, Murray Hardie and Mervyn Arthur Hardie Jr.

Don is also mourned by cousins, his many nieces and nephews, by birth, marriage or relationship, and their children. Not surprisingly, cousin and Uncle Don was a favourite with all.

Don was a wonderful person: genuine, kind, patient and curious. His curiosity was not to dominate or control; it was to understand and connect. He knew how to listen. And yes, children and animals, particularly cats, gravitated to him. Perhaps Don’s greatest gift was friendship: he knew how to make friends; keep friends; and to be a friend. We cannot list all of Don’s friends and have simply noted those who must be mentioned.

Despite leaving Edmonton in his teens, Don maintained lifelong friendships there with Dave and Madeline Crawford, Doug and Sandy Nicholson and Michael Fuog. While Don didn’t finish his social work degree in Ottawa, he did meet Brian and Anita D’Arcy and they, too, remained lifelong friends.

Don’s love of jazz was a remnant of his youth; he used to sneak downstairs at night to listen to big band music on the family radio. Rusty, the family cat, was the first of many felines to capture his heart.

When asked what he did, Don’s common answer was “when?” As a teenager in Edmonton, Don worked for Trans Canada Airlines, the precursor to Air Canada. After graduating from Westglen High School, Don headed east and, after a stint at Carlton University, he began working for Air Canada, first as a “ramp rat,” eventually becoming the youngest Cargo Supervisor at the Ottawa Airport. In between, Don was a sound man for an independent film maker, working on documentaries for shows like “This Hour has Seven Days.” Eventually, as noted below, Don worked for the BC Government.

Don and his first wife, Eleanor, with Tara in tow, left Ottawa in the 1970s for Powell River. It was in Powell River where, after building their home, that Don began to work for the BC Civil Liberty Society in their community law office. It was this job that inspired him to finish his social work degree.

Don, Eleanor and Tara moved to Victoria in 1978, where he returned to university, completing his degree in social work in 1981. Don met new and very dear friends (and their families) during his time at UVic including Lois Kelly, Linda Hunt, Sharon Bristow and Larry Walters, but it was Miss Significant Other, Mary, who captured his heart.

Family was important to Don and just as Mary became a part of his family, Don and Tara became part of the Mouat (and Mouative) clan. Parties at Baker Lake on Salt Spring Island and big family and friend events became the norm.

Pam Slyth, Mary’s best friend, and her dad, Joe Slyth, who became a very dear friend of Don’s, were the two attendants when Don and Mary (eventually) married 1987.

Don’s work as a social worker saw him working in a variety roles and offices in Victoria within the Ministry of Children and Families. While Don had sworn he would never be a supervisor again, he suited that role and retired as the Team Leader for the Saanich and Gulf Islands Youth Team in 2003. As one would expect, Don is still missed by those with whom he worked.

Don and Mary moved to their current home in 1990, and were immediately blessed with the best neighbours possible, Mark and Sue Lemay. Don and Mark were neighbourhood fixtures in the driveway between their respective homes as they hashed out the world’s problems.

Don’s retirement saw him assisting friends and being the “go to guy” for the Quadra Legal Centre. Colin Robinson, Mary’s business partner for 33 years, was known to ask, “What does Don think?” Retirement also saw Don cementing his friendship with Haig Bozoian and the creation of the Old Guys coffee group. Haig, “the” Wolf and Don T will miss their coffee buddy and Don’s ‘hood will not be the same without him.

Mary and Don were known to host a dinner party or two, and the Salad of Don became the most requested food at any dinner party. They enjoyed camping trips in Harvey the RV, holidays and cruises with family and friends, trips to Maui and annual summer holidays at Tillicum Seaside Resort. Retirement allowed Don to travel internationally and for that he was very grateful.

Mary and friends always referred to Don as the Energizer Bunny because he seemed to always bounce back from any health issue. However, Don’s ability to play “medical bingo” finally ran its course.

Mary and Tara would like to thank every member of the medical community who worked with Don on his journey. We cannot name all the professionals that have supported Don over the years. However, Don wanted us to particularly acknowledge BC Cancer doctors Stacey Miller and Sunil Parimi. Their kindness was extraordinary and very much appreciated.

We also want to thank Jen and Wendy for their 24/7 support over the very difficult days leading up to Don’s death. We love you and he loved you.

Finally, Mary and Tara would like to acknowledge and thank everyone at the Royal Jubilee Hospital who provided final care to Don. His last hours on the 8th floor were calm and kind. MAID is a personal decision and that program and doctors ensured that Don had a quiet and loving death with Mary and Tara at his side.

Don and Mary supported a number of charities, including the Anawim Companions Society, the Inter-Cultural Centre of Victoria, 1Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre, the Mustard Seed, BC Cancer, Victoria Foundation and the Victoria Hospital Foundation. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these charities or a charity of your choice.

There will be no funeral. A celebration of Don’s life will take place at Mary and Don’s home on August 1, 2026, from 1 pm to 4 pm.