A long life well-lived

Alex Mills was the son of the late Ralph S. and Thora R. Mills. He follows his dear, late brothers Donald S. Mills and Dr. Howard M. Mills. He is survived by his loving brothers, James R. (Elizabeth) Mills, Paul (Jannie) Mills and sister-in-law, Geegee Mills.

Mourning his loss but grateful to have been enriched by his life, love, tireless guidance and support are his beloved wife of 70 years, Jane (Taylor), his adoring children and their loving spouses, Debbie (Prof. Jim) Wahlen, Tracy Mills, Sue (Jim) Delsnyder, Jill (Dan) Devlin, Tim (Nicki) Mills, and Katie (Dr. David) O’Connor, as well as treasured grandchildren Jessica Corbin, Sarah (Nick) Kellner, Jaymie Wahlen (Aaron Bingea) , Thomas Alexander Schmidt, Alexander James (AJ) Delsnyder, Victoria (Matt) Bursey, Katie and Daniel (Katie) Devlin, Taylor Mills, and Mason, Davis and Dawson O’Connor, and great-grandchildren Ailsa Corbin, Charlie and Ben Kellner and Esther and Aida Wahlen Bingea.

Alex graduated from University of Toronto Schools and then Princeton University (class of 1952) where he captained both schools’ Varsity Hockey teams. These educational and athletic experiences, combined with the Mills family’s code of unwavering loyalty, profoundly shaped his character and how he chose to live his life.

He began his business career covering the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland as a salesman for Proctor and Gamble, based out of Pictou, Nova Scotia. He was joined by his new bride a year later and together they travelled his territory, exploring those beautiful parts of the country. They referred to it as their extended honeymoon.

A move back to Toronto in 1954 lead to a shift in his sales career. First at Commercial Union and later at Canada Life, Alex began helping his clients with their insurance and estate planning needs. This training taught him the critical importance of real estate ownership in people’s lives. This shaped the next 55 years of his life as he devoted his efforts to serving his clients’ real estate needs in Toronto and in his beloved Muskoka. He did it all. Homes, cottages, apartment buildings and commercial developments. It started with his creation of Alex Mills & Associates and led to the building of The Mills Team, first with Sadie Moranis Realty and later joining Royal LePage Signature Realty. Throughout his entire life, Alex loved to learn. Every new professional and personal adventure brought him the excitement of new learning and the search for solutions that others could not easily see. Tenacity? Or perhaps stubbornness? For Alex, the result was aways the same. He would never give up until he found a solution, even when others felt the task was impossible.

Unfailingly supportive and encouraging, his absolute loyalty to family was and always will be an inspiration to all. He loved spending time with family and friends, on a ski hill or golfing at York Downs, and in his favourite pastime, going for long boat rides on Lake Muskoka, ideally in a wooden boat! Alex loved discovering new properties on the water, often recounting fascinating stories about the histories of the families who had developed the Muskoka Lakes area. In his quiet way, Alex never failed to observe something that needed attention and would devote whatever personal time it took to make it right. Whether building a path or fixing a dock, he enjoyed filling his cottage days working on projects for others, before savouring a well-earned swim and a delicious meal at the end of a long day’s work. He similarly found great joy discovering the wonders and rugged beauty of Southern Arizona, particularly at the Buena Vista Ranch.

Alex also found satisfaction volunteering. His many volunteer efforts included serving as chairman for the Building Committee of the Toronto Racquet Club and co-chairing The Donway Covenant United Church Sanctuary Building Project.

As we say goodbye to a remarkable man, we take heart knowing that Alex Mills, at age 93, led an exceptionally full and rewarding life devoted to serving family, friends, clients, and others. His wife, Jane, and their children, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are forever indebted to him for his wisdom, generosity, and love.