Our kind and gentle Dad, Mingay Killen, passed away on December 21, 2011.
Cherishing Mingay's memory are daughters Janis Ottem (Mark), Susan Neave (Carney), nephew Peter Hall (Jo Ann), grandchildren Derek Ottem (Nicole Hallgren), Kelly Ottem (Brent Chagnon) and great grandchildren Bodie and Anna Ottem, and Ethan Chagnon.
On May 24, 2011 Mingay was predeceased by Kathleen his beloved wife of 65 years. Mingay and Kay lost their infant son, Steven, in 1948.
Mingay was born to Lorna and Steven Killen, in Lloydminster, Sask. on June 13, 1920. In the mid 1930s the family relocated to Kamloops, which has since been his home.
When WWII began, Dad enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and served as a medic in England and France for most of the duration of the war. He was a member of 886 RCAF (Overlander) Wing, AFAC. During war time he played saxophone and clarinet in an Air Force Band and enjoyed playing in the little towns wherever they were posted.
In Nov. 1945, a week after returning home from overseas, Dad married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Hall. He attended Pharmaceutical College in Vancouver, and subsequently returned to Kamloops to work as a pharmacist for Galloway Ellis Drugs. He later became a partner with Osborne Ellis, and upon Osborne's retirement, he and Shig Kobayashi formed Galloway Ellis Drugs (1965) Ltd.
After winning a 1994 Air Force writing competition about memories of the Normandy Invasion, Dad travelled to France as a Canadian Representative for the commemoration ceremonies. (Dad had landed D.Day +1). This honor, and his experiences during the trip, were a highlight of his life.
Dad was a devoted and proud member of the Masonic Lodge, taking on leadership roles over the years. He also was a member of the Air Force Association and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Mingay was a man of many interests. He loved to fly fish, hunt and hike. In his 40's he learned to downhill ski and he and Mom also enjoyed many years of cross country skiing. The intricacy of carpentry, fly tying, and painting in water color also brought him pleasure.
Family was the centre of Dad's life. Much of our rich family time was spent at the cottage at Lac Le Jeune, where he passed his love of fly-fishing and nature onto two generations of children. He was a kind, fun, involved, and devoted husband and father. When grandchildren entered his life he showered them with the same adoration and mentorship.
