Obituary of Roderick (Rod) Coleman Miller

Rod was the only child of Harold and Lily Miller of Ottawa.  Rod and his first wife, Bernice, had two children.  He was the loving father of Carolyn (Tom) and James (Aline).  He was also the very proud grandfather and biggest fan of Claira, Julia and Jonathan. 

Rod’s early years were idyllic – winters at home in the Glebe at Bank and Second Avenue with family, friends, school and sports (not always in that order) and summers at the Brittania Beach cottage.  It was here that, with his father’s guidance, he developed his life-long love of sailing.  His devotion to the Britannia Yacht Club (BYC), or the Britannia Boating Club as it was called in 1943 when he first joined, has been unwavering.  Even more unwavering is the value Rod placed on the many friendships developed over the years.  Some of these friendships having started in childhood or through is teenage years. 

Growing up, Rod excelled at and loved both football and hockey.  He played hockey for the Ottawa Senators Junior B team and was quarterbacked the Ravens football team while attending Carleton University earning the award for Male Athlete Of The Year.  Rod became a teacher and was part of the staff of DND elementary schools at Uplands for his entire career.  Although offered a fast-track career in Toronto, he chose to stay in the city he loved. 

Rod knew where every rock and sand bar was on Lac Deschenes, part of the Ottawa River, this came from countless hours sailing.  He loved regattas as much as he loved sailing for fun.  He was serious about the sport and became known as one of the best International 14 crew in Canada.  Bruce Kirby was his greatest fan. 

Rod was humble about his accomplishments but there were many.  He was the team leader of the Canadian National Sailing team for several years. He led the team to the Pan Am Games, international regattas and to the Olympics.  The Los Angeles games in 1984 were a source of great pride and satisfaction for him, particularly after the Moscow games had been cancelled.  Walking into the Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles with the Canadian team in 1984 was a highlight of his life, he was very proud of the team bringing home three medals.  That wasn’t his only Olympica experience; in 1976 in Kingston, Rod was a race committee chairman.  He also served as an international judge and instructor evaluator. 

In 1974 Rod was given a Special Achievement Award by the Provincial Government “In Grateful Recognition of a distinguished contribution to the field of fitness and amateur sport”.  He has always taken a special interest in youth sailing and was one of the architects of the national Learn to Sail Program. 

Rod and Marion have been partners for forty years and shared travelling, cruises, skiing and many happy hours with friends at BYC.  Rod loved his glass of wine and chat at the end of the day.  An extended family, Mary Lynne (Randy), Bruce (Debbie), Michael and Kate were a happy part of Rod’s life.  Michael was like a much-loved grandson.  Visits to Albany and Harvest Moon Orchard were always enjoyable. 

Rod will be greatly missed by his family and friends.  His smile and wry sense of humour will be remembered with much affection. 

Rod’s family and friends want to thank the physicians and nurses at Arnprior & District Hospital for the excellent care he received.  Special thanks to the team at The William and Maureen Shenkman Palliative Care Unity (St. Vincent’s Hospital) for the kind, caring and excellent care he received there.

A reception to celebrate Rod’s life and contributions will be held at the Britannia Yacht Club (2777 Cassels St, Ottawa ON K2B 6N6) on Friday, October 4^th, 2024 from 1 pm to 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Colin Blandy Fund, Britannia Yacht Club at 2777 Cassels St., Ottawa, ON, K2B 6N6, would be appreciated. The Colin Blandy Fund was established in 1977 by members of BYC to provide financial assistance to young sailors.