Edward Ross Miller

Edward, ROSS Miller (Born 18 September 1936 – Died 1st March 2025) Predeceased by his parents Clarence Uri Miller & Mary Hay (Ross) Miller. Gadabout, layabout, man about town, a literal man of letters, who’s compulsive card writing for every occasion single-handedly balanced Canada Post’s financial ledger was 88. He is survived by his cherished wife of 31 years, Colleen, his sister Peggy, Jamie (an ersatz son), his wife JJ and their child Mei (rhymes with ‘day’). Ross is fondly remembered by family in British Columbia and friends and colleagues from coast to coast.

Ross wore many hats as a radio and television host, reporter, journalist, writer, comedian and media monitor. Born in Winnipeg and raised in Saskatchewan, Ross showed early promise in Melfort, as a boxer in the flyweight category before turning down an overseas acting scholarship to study in London. Always a wordsmith with a penchant for mischief, he developed his comic perspective at the University of Saskatchewan with his ‘Murgatroyd’s Mutterings' column. He worked in radio before acquiring a Carleton journalism degree and thus began a freelance writing career.

Ross lived in Regina, Winnipeg and Fredericton while working with the CBC. Over the years, a trusty VW Beetle transported him from Los Angeles to Toronto, and back again in search of stand-up gold. He had stints with CTV in Edmonton and wrote for the shows ‘Lifetime’ and 'Live It Up' back in Toronto. Ross was working at Canadian Press Clipping Service when he won a Yuk Yuk’s award for ‘Best Stand-Up with a Full-Time Job.’ Along the way he jumped out of planes for CJNB radio in North Battleford, wrote for everyone from Joan Rivers, to Norm MacDonald and Peter Gzowski. By the time he settled in Toronto’s Bloor West Village where he and Colleen became Bread and Roses regulars, Ross was spinning current events into a humorous self-published Zine called ‘Moron’s Anonymous’. It would have made a great Tik Tok series.

Ross was always self-deprecating, considerate and kind. After retirement, he and Colleen savoured travel to far flung cultural centres like Venice, Florence and Paris. When they were home, they supported different charities like the AGO, St. Margaret’s Cancer research, two stray cats and anyone in need. Sometimes he supported you with spare change and other times it was a burned copy of a movie “You just HAD TO SEE!” "1,000 Clowns" with Jason Robards and "Thursday's Game" with Gene Wilder and Bob Newhart are just a couple of his favourites.

Friends were very important to Ross, and he tried his best to stay in touch. He made the effort to return for class reunions, Go-Train to Whitby, Bus-it to Peterborough or fly to Kelowna, anything to maintain connections with loved ones. He mingled with Premiers, interviewed celebrities and socialites, worked with the best and somehow never let it go to his head. 'How' you ask? My working theory is rooted in Ross's humbling experience with self-inflicted scurvy. He was never too proud to eat his vegetables after that.

Big thanks to staff at the Grenadier who supported Ross and Colleen through the difficult transition to supported living, especially Nora and Dawn. Huge thanks to the supervising medical staff and PSW’s at Copernicus Lodge who supported Ross in his final months. Your commitment to people and quality care made a huge difference. Our only regret was not being able to reunite Colleen with Ross at Copernicus Lodge prior to his passing.

A celebration of life is being planned for late Summer, closer to Ross’s Birthday. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. Any unscripted act of generosity is a fitting tribute to Ross. He loved life but hated being told what to do. He told the best stories, but I suspect he never realized that he was always the best part of the stories he told.