OBITUARY

A. R. W. (Tony) McMillan, - Goodacres, 1949-1954.

Prominent Northern Solicitor and former International Hockey player Tony McMillan died on 19th August last, after a long illness. Born in Bangor in 1936, He was educated at Rockport School until age 13, when he went to Glenalmond, where he was outstanding at sports, notably the steeplechase.

He then went on to read Law at Queens University before joining the family law firm of White, McMillan and Wheeler, and later McMillan and Irvine of Saintfield, where he continued working until early 2015. He served as President of the Reform Club, following in the steps of his father and Grandfather.

Whilst still at Queens, Tony was selected to play hockey for Ulster in 1956 and for Ireland in 1958, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Wales. He went on to play 40 times for Ireland and also played for Great Britain against Belgium at Hove in 1959. At club level, he played for Belfast YMCA, playing on their Irish Senior cup- winning team in 1977 and later for in 1987. After retiring from top-level competitive hockey at the age of 34, he went on to commentate on Irish, Ulster and local hockey for the BBC for many more years.

He was also a very keen golfer, being a member of the Royal Golf Club for most of his life and also a member of The Royal Belfast Golf Club at Cultra, where he played on the Royal Belfast Junior cup team, achieving his lowest handicap of five. His brother Ronnie recollects a famous round of Tony’s, aged 16 at the Royal County Down Number two course when he achieved a score of 66, using only a five- iron and a putter. He also loved rugby and was a keen supporter of Ulster and Ireland, accompanying his sons to watch matches.

As a solicitor, he was actively involved in the legal work for the Representative Body of the Church of Ireland, the trust which holds property on behalf of the Church. For many years he also sang tenor in the choir of Bangor Abbey Church. His musical interest included Gilbert and Sullivan, and he also enjoyed extensive international travel.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his three children, Andrew, Fiona and Denis, two grandchildren, Tom and Katie, and his brother Ronnie, OG (Cairnies, 1955-1956).

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[Obituary from the Down Recorder newspaper, slightly edited by Ronnie McMillan and J. Paul Hillis (Skrines 1950-1953)]