FRANK Sinatra’s Come Fly With Me played as mourners remembered the generosity and kindness of Townsville pilot Ross Millard, and paid tribute to his love of aviation.
Mr Millard, 64, died on November 29 at Ace Aviation’s airfield at Woodstock when a test flight turned to tragedy and his light plane nosedived into scrub near the runway.
Mourners packed Woongarra Crematorium chapel during Mr Millard’s funeral yesterday, with extra chairs outside still not enough to seat the entire crowd.
An aviation theme ran through the memorial, with Come Fly With Me played as the entrance song, while jokes about Mr Millard holding flight lessons in heaven featured among the tributes.
Civil celebrant Amanda Medill spoke of Mr Millard’s kindness, his determination and his passion for aviation.
“He was a real character, a good guy and a wonderful partner and father and his enthusiasm for life was contagious,” she said.
“His generosity of spirit and mateship was obvious to all that he met. He could be described as stubborn, extremely intelligent and a very supportive provider for his family.”
Ms Medill said Mr Millard had left a legacy of kindness, commitment and respect.
“Missed will be his tropical T-shirts, his most up-to-date, trendy sunglasses, his companionship and his presence,” she said.
“His little dog Millie will also be missing her master.
“She is still pining for him to come home.”
Mr Millard’s 45-year aviation history included service with the Royal Australian Air Force, work as a maintenance engineer and his role as the North Queensland board member of Recreational Aviation Australia.
Mourners heard that a job with the Singer Sewing Centre in his younger days stood Mr Millard in good stead, providing him with sewing skills that helped him first in working with the RAAF, making parachutes, and later working for a costume designer in the UK, where he met his partner.
Mr Millard completed about 2000 skydiving jumps and had a lucky escape in a 1974 crash in the Northern Territory, when two people died after a plane suffered an engine failure.
Mr Millard leaves behind his partner of 35 years, Deb, and daughter Kelly
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/aviators-passion-remembered-by-mourners/story-fnjfzs4b-1227637152700