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MARVIN E. TILLER
Born: Sep 07, 1940
Date of Passing: Jul 10, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMARVIN E. TILLER
Marvin Edward Tiller of West Vancouver (previously Winnipeg), passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025.
Loving husband of Barbara (nee Gillespie), father to Patrick (Ariane), Rebecca (Ian Ritz), and Aislinn; brother to Garry Tiller (Mary). Predeceased by his twin sister Marilyn Kjeldgaard (Jerry).
Marvin was born September 7, 1940, in Lethbridge, AB, to Norman and Nora Tiller. At the time, his father was overseas with the Canadian Forces in the Second World War. They met for the first time at the end of the war.
Marv was an accomplished hockey and football player throughout high school at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. He went on to attend Montana State University in Missoula on a football scholarship. During this time, he played hockey for both the MSU Bruins and the Butte Bombers, and developed many new friendships through his fraternity, Theta Chi. A hockey injury prevented him from continuing his studies at MSU, and he returned to Canada to complete his B.A. in Economics and International Relations at the University of Manitoba in 1960. It was there that he met the love of his life, Barbara. They were married in Winnipeg in 1964.
Marvin started his career with Imperial Oil before joining the T. Eaton Company. He later moved to the Hudson's Bay Company in the early 1980s and went on to become President, HBC Northern Stores Division and a Director of The Bay. It was in this role that he travelled the north and high arctic extensively and developed a profound respect and regard for the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. In 1987, he became the inaugural CEO of the new North West Company.
In 1990, he formed Canadian Shield Enterprises Inc. Marvin was an early advocate for a business model of economic development and wealth creation for First Nations communities that is widely adopted today. He became President and CEO of Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd. where he led the acquisition and growth of Arctic Beverages Ltd., along with a number of other significant investments. He took great enjoyment from the genuine business partnerships he developed with Indigenous business leaders, one of the early ones being Opaskwayak Cree Nation. He felt great satisfaction in the wealth creation these investments provided to the shareholder communities he represented. Marvin served on the Board of First Nations Bank of Canada; Director, Associates of the Faculty of Management, University of Manitoba; Director, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business; Director, Brandon University Foundation; Director, Churchill Gateway Development Corp; and Board member of the Winnipeg Symphony and Winnipeg Art Gallery. Marvin was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church and served as a Rector's Warden and on the vestry.
Above all, Marv was happiest amongst his family as a loving husband, father, and Grampy to Adelaide, Olivia, Marlowe, and Barrett. He treasured time spent at the cottage on Lake Winnipeg with Barb's parents, and her siblings, Margaret, Robert, Richard, Fred, and their families. He also took great pleasure in hosting family and friends at the house on Middle Gate. His optimism in life was irrepressible, and his warmth and generosity with friends were constant. He was a decades long member of the Winnipeg Winter Club, and a Life Member of the Manitoba Club where he enjoyed time with friends and many family occasions. Marv was known for his level-headed calm under all circumstances. He was always a voice of reason in any situation. Marv was a mentor to many and provided good advice to friends, acquaintances and family alike.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire staff at Berkeley Care Centre in North Vancouver, who showed great compassion and care for Marv. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church - Building Restoration Fund, or to Rossbrook House Foundation of Winnipeg.
A funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on August 7 at St. Francis-in-the-Wood Anglican Church, West Vancouver. Marvin's final resting place will be St. John's Cathedral cemetery, Winnipeg.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 23, 2025
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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Dear Barb and family. Very sorry to hear of Marv’s passing. He was really truly a great person and a very good friend. Take care Bill and Shelley Drew - Posted by: Bill and Shelley Drew (Friends) on: Sep 04, 2025
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Sincere condolences to Marvin family, with warm memories of your hospitality at the cottage at Hnausa. - Posted by: Nelson Gerrard (Neighbour) on: Sep 04, 2025
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Barb, I was sorry to hear of the passing of Marvin. He will be deeply missed by family and friends The loss of a life partner leaves one with a void that is not easily filled. You both welcomed Jim and myself to the gates and we enjoyed working with you on a number of community projects. I admired how Marv kept extremely busy with professional and community commitments but never seem rushed. He had a direct professional manner and was able to build consensus around a board table holding the trust of all he worked with. Marv was a gentleman of integrity and a loss to many organizations. But a greater loss to the family he so deeply loved. - Thomas McLeod - Posted by: Thomas McLeod (Neighbour) on: Aug 11, 2025
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Condolences to Marv's Family. I worked for Marv as a District Manager for Eaton's. Marv was a mentor and a good friend. We all looked up to him and his superb Managerial skills. He was was always witty and a fun guy to be around. A man that will always be remembered by me and my colleagues. Brooke Tomin Victoria, B.C. August 2025 - Posted by: Brooke Tomlin (My Boss Area Mgr. Eatons) on: Aug 11, 2025
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Dear Barbara, so sorry for your loss. One of the highlights of serving at Holy Trinity, Winnipeg was getting to know you and Marv. You both were such strong pillars of that faith community and strong in your Christian faith. Your lives certainly reflected your faith being turned into actions of kindness, compassion and fairness. My husband and I are thankful for the many ways you befriended us during our time in Winnipeg. May God uphold you and comfort you at this time and in the days ahead. You are in our prayers as you and your family grieve the death of Marv. May he Rest In Peace and rise in Glory. - Posted by: The Rev. Karine Snowdon (former Rector) on: Jul 31, 2025
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Though we moved from Winnipeg in 1984, my brother and I have always been members of Clubs which enjoy reciprocal privileges with the Winter Club, and as a result maintained and enjoyed an annual ‘locker room’ friendship with Marv over the ensuing years, ending only when COVID temporarily blocked the border. He was simply a wonderful fellow. We would chat over the lockers while changing in our respective rows, he would head up for his rigorous ‘executive workout’ while we swam, and then then we would reconvene and debrief over a well-earned post-workout beer. The last of the old guard at the Club we well recall from our childhoods in the 1960’s and 70’s. He will be missed on future visits. Eamon Egan (Philadelphia) & Breen Egan (Cape May, New Jersey) - Posted by: Eamon Egan (Club Friends) on: Jul 29, 2025
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I met Marv through his time at TCIG and FNBC We were both board members at the bank. He was a class act through and through and treated everyone with all the respect that he himself had earned over many years. Best wishes to his family. - Posted by: Chris Dyrda (Friend) on: Jul 26, 2025
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On behalf of the Foran family, I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Tiller‘s passing. He was a wonderful friend and mentor to many people. I wish Becky and everybody all the best and I am very sorry for your loss. Especially you, Barbara. The Gates of east and middle will never be the same. - Posted by: Colin Foran (Friend) on: Jul 26, 2025
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I first met Mr. Tiller when I was the HBC store manager in Fort good Hope, NWT. Thank you for your kindness over the many years and may I take this time to wish his family our sincere Condolences. - Posted by: Steve Anderson (HBC NORTHERN STORES) on: Jul 25, 2025
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Our sincere sympathy Barbara. Since Marv's passing we have reminisced about the many times we enjoyed our visits throughout the years dining in various restaurants, visiting at your cottage, meeting for family get togethers in Lethbridge. We lived in Portage la Prairie when Marv started his career with Imperial Oil & Portage was part of his territory. One time he brought you Barb to meet us & he adored you. Marv was so easy to love & we loved him dearly and so proud of his accomplishments. Stay strong & take comfort in your memories. Glad that your lovely children are close by. Love Garry & Mary. Aunt Barb--my sincere Condolences. Uncle Marv was a great guy. Take care, With love Curtis. - Posted by: Garry & Mary Tiller (Marvin's brother) on: Jul 25, 2025
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Aunt Barb - sincere condolences to you & your family. Uncle Marv truly was a great guy. Even though we didn't see each other too often, when we did get together, it was like no time had passed - he was always so warm & welcoming. My memories of Uncle Marv will always be of a man who was genuine, down-to-earth, and cheerful - he always had a smile & loved to laugh. May you find comfort in knowing that so many thought highly of him - cherish the wonderful memories that you shared together over the years! - Posted by: Cathy Carroll (niece) on: Jul 23, 2025