Obituary of Thor Milton
Joseph Thorburn “Thor” Milton passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 3rd with his loving wife Eleanor and his family by his side. Thor was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 9, 1936. After surviving WWII in Europe, Thor emigrated with his parents Ann (nee McClure) and George to Toronto. While studying engineering at Queens University and the University of Toronto, Thor met and married Bonnie Gay Taylor in 1964, and together they had three wonderful children. Bonnie’s nursing career took them to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to Largo, Florida. After Bonnie died suddenly in 1991, Thor returned to Canada where he reconnected with high school friend Eleanor Pauline Gregory. They married in 1996, and settled on Gregory Farm in Chatham, Ontario. Thor earned his lay minister certification through the United Church of Canada, and loved his job as a school bus driver in Chatham, reluctantly backing his bus in for the last time in 2018 at the age of 82.
Thor’s sense of humor, uncompromising willingness to help anyone and everyone without condition, made him widely admired and a role model. His comforting presence, willingness to listen, sage advice, kindness, character, and resilience was admired by many and will be missed by all.
Thor is preceded in death by his wife Bonnie, half-sister Iris Liddell, half-brother Tommy Sherrard, and half-brother James Sherrard. He is survived by his daughter Jackie of California (Karl; Aidan, Grace), son David of Colorado (Audrey; Thorsen, Shannon), son Paul of Myanmar (Yamin), stepdaughter Karyn of Florida (Tim; Kacy (Austin), Jessie, Sandy), stepson Greg of Australia (Alison; Kaleigh (Jon), Aubrey, Morley, Bella), and stepson Simon of Toronto (Andrea; Quinn, Jamie), niece Sharon Liddell, and grand- niece Emma Liddell. He is also survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Eleanor. Per Eleanor and Thor’s wishes, a joint celebration of life will be held at a later date. Thor will be interred at Arnold’s Cemetery in Chatham, Ontario, in a private ceremony.
Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com
McKinlay Funeral Home
459 St. Clair Street, Chatham
519-351-2040
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