James Patrick MacMillan
July 11th, 2021
James Patrick MacMillan
June 9, 1964 - July 11, 2021
It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of Jim, aka “Jimmy Mac”.
This loss has shaken a vast expanse of loved ones across North America. Jim is going to be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his parents, Margaret MacMillan of Airdire, AB and Patrick MacMillan (Alice) of Ingersoll, ON; his sister, Theresa (Brent) Zubot of Balzac, AB; his brother, Mike (Cheryl) MacMillan of Moose Jaw, SK; as well as his beautiful 3 nieces, Paige, Jordan & Rylee Zubot of Balzac, AB; and his super-cool nephew, Rory MacMillan of Moose Jaw, SK. Jim also has a number of special cousins who will miss him dearly from Alberta and Ontario. We must not forget Jim’s very special lifelong friend, Jody Ludwig of Penhold, AB. Jim was pre-deceased by his younger brother and best friend Chris in July 1994.
At a young age Jim was an entrepreneur and business man in Red Deer, AB then after closing his business, he became a bartender and quickly developed a passion and an undeniable talent for this skill. Jim’s love for people and a good time soon found him on stage performing stand-up comedy and acting for many years. He was charming, and funny and everyone who met Jim loved him instantly. He had a heart of gold, and would help anyone he could. Jim loved his family deeply and carried the heaviness of the loss of Chris in his heart every single day, which made him want to be closer to his family so he decided in 2018 to leave the beautiful West Coast that he loved immensely, return to Calgary to work with a friend, and be closer to his family. We were all so thankful he made that choice.
It would be impossible to mention the countless number of people who touched Jim over the years and played a hand in his character, successes and full filling his dreams of making people laugh. Jim will forever be remembered for his sense of humour, always having a joke to share, and his star-studded smile that melted many hearts. We will miss him dearly, but are comforted knowing that he is finally reunited with his best friend and we know they are enjoying some cool ones and having some great laughs while they watch over us.
A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held in the summer of 2022, with the date to be confirmed.
Messages:
All I can say is wow so sad . First I want to say condolences to the family . Jim and I had a lot of fun back in the eighties just out of high-school bombing in the old Montecarlo. A lot of crazy party nights lol that thankfully we always seemed to somehow survive. We drifted apart and I didn't catch up with him till Chris' funeral and wow I can't believe it's been that long since. Always loved the guy and will miss his crazy personality. RIP BROTHER AND SAY HI TO CHRIS
My condolences to the MacMillan family and friends. I knew Jimmy from the Sylvia Hotel where his insightfulness and humour were always appreciated and he will missed, greatly :(
Yet the loss of another MacMillan boy shakes the ground we stand on. My sincere condolences to the entire family. I take solace in knowing that Jim and Chris are together again. I will spend the rest of my life trying to imagine a world without them. All my love forever.
Theresa, Marg, Pat and Michael, Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for your loss… I am deeply sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. I can’t imagine the sadness you must be feeling
There's no good time to die… Although if you had to, July is a good time. Especially if you live in Alberta. I flew to Edmonton for a funeral last January. Januarys in Edmonton are almost designed for funerals. At least Jimmy had the decency to die in the summer. Jimmy absolutely loved summer, especially summer in Vancouver. Jimmy's three favourite things were his bicycle, the seawall... and that little bit of a girl's ass cheek that sticks out of a pair of short shorts. "John, I just want to bite it!"... he'd semi-innocently say. "MeToo" I'd say. Jimmy rode his bike on the seawall, which was a mere stones throw away from where he lived, on a nearly daily basis. Often in the dark and after work. He had all the gear. He looked terrific in yellow. Not everybody does. We both preferred our bike riding solo, left with our own thoughts, and on more than one occasion, while laid out on a beach near the seawall, I would hear a disguised voice behind me asking if "I wanted to buy some weed?" I would turn around rather perturbed as to who would have the audacity to try and sell weed to somebody simply minding their own business laying on a patch of sand, only to see Jimmy laughing his ass off! Jimmy had nice shirts. He lived a 45 second walk from his job bartending at the Sylvia. You know that you live a 45 second walk from your job when you tell people that you live a 45 second walk from your job. Jimmy was a pop culture savant and if he wasn't slinging drinks, on his bike, or scouting short shorts he was on his couch watching hours and hours of recorded television. "They're my shows." he would say. They were all his shows. Sports, not so much but he loved the reality shows. He should've been in one. I think he could've won Big Brother... Not so much American Idol. He always had a full bowl of smarties on the table. Half full by the time I left... But never half empty. We had different senses of humour Jimmy and I. How can I put this...? Oh yeah, one of us loved Saturday Night Live… and I hated it. Probably why he and Leanne got along so well. They both loved SNL and cracked each other up. Jimmy would just have these weird off the wall sayings that would just come out of nowhere and Leanne would be on the floor. I would later ask her why that was so funny and she, laugh/crying again, would just say "I don't know, it's just Jimmy." I'm sure where Jimmy is now there is an endless seawall, unbreakdownable Volkswagen vans and an all you can bite bum buffet... Oh yeah, and free camping that doesn't require a reservation. Sounds good to me. I'll be awhile yet Jimmy. Save me a spot and yes... I do want to buy some weed. PS: Wake me up when September comes. See you then…
A good guy gone way too soon - will cherish fond memories of such good times! Sending peace & strength to the families at this time. Cheers, Jimmy Mac!
Jimmy Mac, always solid, dependable, and loyal. A hard working guy and a great friend. Everything with Jim was precise and done right. Jim you will be missed and remembered. Sending condolences to Jim’s family.
Leanne Padgett I had been trying to reach Jimmy Macmillan for a couple of years but I never got a response from him. Not being able to speak with him for that time period broke my heart Thanks to a FB post you made in late April 2021, I happened upon a comment from a new Jimmy Mac FB account. I immediately requested his "FB friendship" and within 10 seconds he'd responded
Jim, on behalf of Kevin, Tara, Kim and myself, we are going to miss you. Pity we never managed to arrange that visit, I was really hoping I could make it happen. I still remember your first stand up set... Jim, "One thing I have learned, never fry bacon in the nude". He lifted his shirt up and he had about 50 band-aids on his body. truly a killer joke. Goodbye my friend.
My most heart-felt, sincerest condolences to Jimmy's family and friends. He was such an amazing person- it's hard for me to imagine a world without our beloved Jimmy Mac. Til we meet again, my friend.
I have never met Jim but the remembrances of his life make me wish I had. My condolences go out to his family and may they heal together.
Rest easy old buddy. Len’s guitar lives on through you. Condolences to all of the family.
A beautiful tribute! Great big hugs to all of you. Jim & Chris are together again, and I'm sure sending up a great big cheers to all of you.
Dear MacMillan Family and Jody.... Very sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I grew up in Red Deer and went to high school with Jody. Jim was very clearly loved by all. What a special gift to be able to make people laugh and smile in life. Those gifts are much richer than any fortune. Sending condolences from San Diego. Ramona (Yuhasz) Gaerin
Didn't know this young man and I can say I am sorry I did not! My family sends our condolences at this loss. Debbie Martin
I have very found memories of both Jimmy and Chris. I remember Jimmy practicing his comedy routine on us, back in the early 80s, upstairs at his place on 50th street in Red Deer. He was a genuinely funny guy, you couldn't help but to laugh, might have bee the weed too, haaa. I had talked with him and chatted online over the years and he always had a good story to talk about. He will be missed and i am saddened to have lost another friend. I express my condolences to his remaining family and hope that you can all find peace in knowing that he is reunited with Chris.
My heart is breaking for us all…but especially for you the family. Thoughts & prayers go out to each and everyone. Wishing you the peace that comes in knowing that Jim’s life touched us all.
How do I say, “I’m so sorry your loss!”, with the love ❤️ and tears
Growing up Jim was not only my cousin but also one of my best friends. Even back in the 70’s you could count on Jim for a laugh or three. He was always ready to join in on some ill-advised prank that would leave us all laughing. Our teachers not so much. When our Uncle John was in town Jim walked into our home, sat down on the couch beside him, yanked hard at the moustache John was sporting at the time and said “that’s a terrible fake moustache”. Uncle John was not amused. Other times he would stop in on his way home from his parents store and try out his latest joke. I lost touch over the years but always thought about him. He’s leaving a mighty big hole in our lives but I know he’s going to be telling his jokes to all that will listen.