Obituary of James Arthur McMillan

James "Mac" Arthur McMillan, 74, of Esko passed away peacefully at home Thursday, November 27, 2003, after a courageous nine year battle with cancer. He was born May 28, 1929 in Rochester, NY to William and Florence McMillan. Mac married Elma Leppioja-Hautajarvi on June 4, 1954 in Duluth. He served six years as a YN2 in the Coast Guard on the Basswood, the Holly Hawk and the Wood Rush. He was also a Korean Veteran and sailed the Great Lakes as a merchant mariner for a short time. He worked 36 years at Northwest Paper (Potlatch) retiring in 1994. He enjoyed fishing, his computer, music, visiting with family and friends and making special picture t-shirts for family and friends. Mac was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter-in-law, Katherine Hautajarvi. Mac will be fondly remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 49 years and five months, Elma of Esko; his children, Richard (Peggy) McMillan of Esko, Jim (Jo Anne) McMillan of Duluth, Norma (Leland) Debe of Cloquet, Kenneth Hautajarvi of Carlton, Faye (Dwight) Martin and Matt (Cherrie) Hautajarvi both of Wrenshall; two brothers, Stanley (Judy) McMillan of Canajoharie NY and John (Lorrie) McMillan of Webster, NY; 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson and many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 in Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. Interment was in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Kettle River.