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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
MILTON, Christopher Edmund - It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Christopher Edmund Milton on August 22, 2024. Chris died peacefully surrounding by loved ones in his home in Middlebro, Manitoba.
Chris was born in Gloucester, England on October 24, 1939. He lived most of his early years in Bridgewater, Somerset. During his youth he lived in several different RAF bases in England with his mother, Lyne Milton, father Dick Milton, and siblings, as his father was an engineer with the forces.
In 1953, Chris flew to Singapore to join his family who had relocated there with the Royal Air Force. He travelled in a BOAC Super Constellation with stops in Zurich, Beirut, Karachi and Calcutta. In 1953, the family returned to England on a cargo ship from the Blue Funnel Line with stops in Jibouti (horn of Africa) through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean. At this point is when Chris decided he wanted to be a sailor.
In 1956, Chris joined the British Merchant Navy. On New Year’s Eve 1956, he set out on the first trip to West Africa on a Elder Dempster Cargo ship. Stops in Dakar, Georgetown and Lagos up the Niger River. It was here that Chris contracted Malaria and returned to England to recuperate. The next trip took him to the Caribbean on a Shell oil tanker to pick up crude oil and haul back to Liverpool and a second trip to haul back to Hamburgh.
In 1957 the Milton family had immigrated to Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. After his work with the British Merchant Navy, Chris joined them. He took a Federal Team CO ship which sailed to New Zealand via the East Coast of Canada. He disembarked in Trois Rivieres and took a CP rail train to British Columbia. Spent some time in Chilliwack and decided to join the Royal Canadian Navy.
Chris spent 5 years in the Navy and 2 ½ years in the Air Force before moving back to BC and becoming a Vancouver City Policeman where he spent 7 years. The majority of Chris’s career was in the BC Ambulance Service.
Chris was an avid sports lover. He played Rugby, Soccer, Cricket, and later slow pitch with his kids. He was a coach, mentor and wonderful father and husband and will be greatly missed.
Chris is predeceased by his daughter Christine Milton (2022) and spouse Donna Milton (1976). He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Gail Milton (Hawkes), daughter Kathy Milton (Watson), Heather Milton (Webster) and Linda Milton (Bennett). He was a grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
There will not be a service as per Chris’s wishes. If desired, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. (Crossings Funeral Care)
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