Cliff Milne waved goodbye to his life and left this world peacefully on October 9. He is survived by the love of his life Jenny; daughters Kelley (Jeff) Barszczewski and Cheryl (Dave) Siba; grandchildren Mackenzie and Ty Barszczewski, Lucas Laroche and Cohen Siba; sister Joyce (Don) Carlson; brother-in-law Dan (Tina) Lucas; nephews Brent (Ikuyo) and Shane (Kris) Carlson and Wade (Evan) Lucas; niece Paige (Kian) Lucas; and great-nephews Leon and Quinn Carlson. Also, his childhood and best friend Roy Andrews.
He was predeceased by his father William (1981), mother Ruth (2011) and brother Ken (2022).
Cliff was the third generation of his family to work at the pulp and paper mill and enjoyed his time in various departments including the wharf and timekeeper’s office before taking early retirement. Cliff was a patient and kind man who was deeply loved and respected by so many and leaves a huge hole in the hearts of those close to him.
Cliff met Jenny in high school and their love story is an admirable one, married and in love for 49-plus years. They travelled to many countries together and were passionate about watching sports live and on television.
He was the best dad to his daughters for many reasons and was always there for them. He coached them for years in softball and volunteered on Dry Grad committees to name a couple highlights. He was his girls’ biggest fan. His famous quote was “you are the best in your division.”
For the first time in nearly two decades, he will miss the annual trek to the Pumpkin Patch. He did have a few years attending with his fourth grandchild, Cohen, whose arrival when the others were teenagers, brought immense joy to the family. He frequently took Cliff by the hand and told him what to do or cuddled with him on the sofa.
Both Cohen and Lucas had the priceless benefit of their grandparents sharing the same house, being only a set of stairs away. Being surrounded by his family was his biggest joy in life.
While his family was his greatest love and source of joy, coming second was his love of hockey. His dad would bring him and Joyce to hockey games in the old Willingdon Arena and so the flame of passion was lit that lasted his entire life. It took him across Canada, into the United States, Japan and Europe.
Cliff played minor, junior and senior men’s hockey as a goalie. Many of his teammates affectionately referred to him as Miffer. He was very involved with the Powell River Regals taking on every role in the organization from player, executive, statistician, ticket seller, and Life Member, celebrating provincial and national championships over the years. His daughters remember at an early age coming to the arena with their dad, who was carrying his “hockey” briefcase, and helping him at the door.
When two of his grandchildren, Mackenzie and Ty, started in minor hockey, he and Jenny attended many of their regular season, playoff and tournament games. Cliff retired from the game and turned to officiating, refereeing for years, including serving as head referee for Powell River Minor Hockey. He coached his nephews at nine years old in pup hockey and told all the players they could call him coach or Uncle Cliff. To this day, some of the now-grown men refer to him as Uncle Cliff.
Cliff golfed for years with Hobby’s Hackers, played on other courses in BC and had a memorable round in Portugal with Jenny, Joyce and Don.
Cliff loved the warm sun and swimming as a young child in Cranberry Lake, later at the cabin in Hole in the Wall on Powell Lake and in the oceans of Hawaii and Portugal.
His family wants to express appreciation to his companions Donna and Cindy, Dave Gustafson and the staff at Willingdon Creek Adult Day Program where Cliff enjoyed many Wednesday and Friday visits, Dr. Brad Schweitzer for care over many years, Dr. Gareth Evans for ultimate compassion in his last days, and the nurses on the fourth floor for their care in his final hours.
