Obituary of Milton James Black

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Milt Black in Invermere, BC on Sept. 8, 2023. Milt was born in St Boniface, Manitoba on June 20, 1949, to Hazel Stroud Black (nee Cober) and David James Black. He leaves behind his ex-wife Sigrid Barbara Black (nee Gollub), sisters Beverley Mary McLeod and Maureen Catherine Olson, and their children and grandchildren. He attended Isaac Brock and Daniel MacIntyre schools. He was an incredible athlete and played many sports as a child. He played in the Western Canada Junior Hockey League and Western Canada Hockey League and played for Team Canada 1967-68. At age 20, he was the 36^th overall NHL Amateur draft pick, chosen by the Chicago Black Hawks, and won the Central Hockey League title with their farm team, the Dallas Black Hawks in 1972. When the Winnipeg Jets were building their first WHA team in 1972, Milt was recruited as one of the star hometown players alongside other greats such as Bobby Hull. After 3 seasons with the Jets, Milt took the opportunity to see the world and played in Sweden for 2 years and for 2 years for Augsburg EV in Germany. His points record for Augsburg remains unbeaten. After a serious leg injury during a game that ended his hockey career, Milt settled in Matlock, Manitoba. He did some first class work as a sports commentator. His commentary was always articulate, intelligent, and insightful. Milt’s commentary skills were an accurate reflection of who he was as a person. He then fulfilled his dream of a life of skiing and golfing by moving to Invermere BC, working at Panorama Ski Resort in the winters, and the Radium Golf Course in the summers. Milt loved sports, music, nature, food and cats, among other things. His deep love of music would often bring him to tears when he heard a moving song or performance that touched his heart. His passion for golf meant swinging an invisible club with the Masters in front of the television, while his love for the outdoors saw him hiking, skiing, golfing, and enjoying the beauty of nature. His curly hair, freckled skin, ready smile and welcoming manner made him a friend to all. Milt loved to laugh and found humour in countless everyday situations. His huge appetite embraced every type of cuisine from a choice barbecued steak to the comfort of Kraft dinner. Milt was a gentle soul who savoured a simple life. He was a positive, independent guy who didn’t need much to be happy, just his mountains, being outdoors and active, and spending time with friends and family, including his three best friends, Sigrid Black, Alexander Dryburgh and Rick Wagner. He will be missed by all who were lucky to know him, and his memory will inspire us all to strive to be our best, to keep doing what we love, to savour times with people that we love, to embrace the simple things in life, and to enjoy every minute.