James Tennant Miller

Birthplace
Toronto, Ontario

Birthdate
May 17, 1930

Deceased
February 8, 2015

Photo No. 2 Credit
Science North, Sudbury


James, or Jim, Miller was born in Toronto. He was the son of George M. Miller, one of the original owners of Cambrian Broadcasting Ltd. He was just nine months old when his family moved to Sudbury. He attended Alexander Public School, Sudbury High and Sudbury Business College. He had also studied at Ridley College in St. Catharines. He launched himself into the world of broadcasting following the completion of his formal education and found himself at Cambrian Broadcasting as Executive Vice-President. At that time, his father, George Miller along with the Cooper and Plaunt families co-owned the company.

Jim married Pauline Whitehead in February of 1953. They remained together for 63 years until his death. In 1960 Jim, Pauline and their three daughters moved to Regina, Saskatchewan where Jim would manage Cambrian Broadcasting Ltd.’s new acquisition, CKRM AM of Western Communications Ltd. Jim served as President. He is credited for achieving many accomplishments managing to keep abreast of the ever-changing broadcast technology in a fast-changing world. As a pioneer in the broadcast industry, Jim earned bragging rights for hiring the first female radio sportscaster in Canada. Jim stood out in support of the Woman’s Movement at a time when not only broadcasting, but the world was still male dominated.

While in Regina, Jim was extremely active and served as a Director of the John Howard Society, Director of Duck’s Unlimited Canada and was named President of the Regina Chamber of Commerce during Centennial Year, 1967. In that year Jim was honoured with the Centennial Medal for Service to the Nation presented by the Lieutenant-Governor. Jim was also a Director of the Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club and he chaired one of their most successful $100-a-plate fundraiser dinners. Jim would remain a loyal Saskatchewan Roughrider fan. Jim and his wife Pauline developed lasting friendships over their ten years in the city of Regina. These friendships were strong enough that they would continue following their move back to Ontario following Cambrian Broadcasting’s sale of CKRM AM to Buffalo Broadcasting Ltd.

Jim and Pauline welcomed the arrival of their only son George while in Regina. Jim had a passion for flying and he spent many hours in the air with his son in his Cessna 182. In fact, Jim was a Gold Member of the Canadian Pilots and Owners Association. George became a commercial pilot/flight instructor. Their two daughters, Judith and Catherine, were influenced by Jim’s passion for reading, music and the love of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Jim’s first HOG was purchased in 1947 and he continued to ride well into his 70s. He made the “bikers pilgrimage” to Sturgis, South Dakota four times and he also attended Harley Davidson’s Anniversary events in Milwaukee three times with Pauline. A testament to his love of a Harley Davidson was his lifetime membership in the National Harley Owners Group or HOG. He was behind the initiative to bring a local chapter to Sudbury.

Jim also had a significant military career which spanned an entire lifetime. He belonged to the Admiral Mountbatten Sea Cadet Corps, the Ridley College Drum and Bugle Band, and the Royal Canadian Air Force where he served from 1949 to 1950. Upon leaving as a leading aircraftman (LAC) he pursued his career in broadcasting. However, in 1950, Jim commenced his connection with the Militia by serving Sudbury with the 58th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (Reserve). He received a commission with the 58th Light Anti-Aircraft in 1955 but would leave the Regiment upon relocating to Regina in 1960. He was transferred to the Supplementary Reserve until being released in 1971.

Jim and Pauline would return to Ontario in 1970 and became involved with the Travel Industry. Jim served as the Chairman of the Ontario Travel Industry Conference and Trustee of the Ontario Government Travel Compensation Fund. They were owners of AirSea Travel.

Outside business activities, Jim once again devoted many volunteer hours to local organizations and charities in Sudbury. Among others he served as the President and Director of the Sudbury Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) and was a trustee of the W.E. Mason Foundation. Jim was also part of bringing Science North to Sudbury. He was a member of Science North’s Board of Trustees from 1982 to 1989 and was presented with a lifetime membership. Mr. Miller was known for his tireless efforts in promoting Science North during this time. He joined the Fundraising Committee in 1981 and was responsible for securing several major donations toward the building of the centre. Mr. Miller organized the Ramsey Lake Navy which made the construction of the centre’s dock, the Rusty Blakey sculpture and the whale skeleton project all become a reality thanks to the organization’s generous contributions. As a visitor to Science North you can read about Mr. Miller’s outstanding contributions at the Lifetime Member Interactive Display on the way to the Cavern, and you can also visit the Interactive Broadcasting Booth sponsored by Cambrian Broadcasting Corporation. As president of the Sudbury Regional Development Corporation in 1983, he helped maintain the community tourism development interest in Science North. The Miller, Plaunt and Cooper families, through United Broadcasting, donated $150,000 to the Science North project.

In December of 1998 Jim’s military career was revived when he was appointed as the Honorary Colonel of the 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment of Canada. Jim remained in this post until March of 2005 and actively served as a liaison between the civilian and military worlds. Among the many highlights throughout his appointment, the greatest was his tour to Bosnia in August of 2001 with Colonel John Goudreau to visit the officers and soldiers he had come to admire so much.

In recent years Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He would continue to keep as active as he could in many ways such as keeping up with weekly lunch dates with a group of lifelong friends.

Jim passed away on February 8, 2015 leaving behind his wife Pauline, daughters Judith Miller-Greco (Anthony), Catherine Miller (Moreno predeceased), Melanie Miller (Jamie) and son George Miller. Jim was also blessed with 7 grandchildren and was survived by 8 great-grandchildren. Jim also had a sister, Janet Aston residing in Stittsville, Ontario. Jim is also survived by a large extended family.