On a spring morning spilling with sunshine, a group of Muff Mills' friends gather at
Danny's barbershop in Cambridge to remember the artist.
Muff was a real character, a guy who was so interested in people he collected
friends like a child collects wild flowers: each valued for its beauty and uniqueness.
"He had that ability to make you feel you were the only one, that you were very
special . . . (from) babies up to seniors," said friend Shirley Murdoch. "When anyone
met him, you'd never forget him."
Muff Mills was born in Toronto, the youngest of three. In 1941, at only 18, the
adventurous Muff joined the air force, training at the Galt Aircraft School. After
graduation he served as ground crew for the heavy bomber squadron, stationed in
England. It was here that Muff first flexed his artistic muscle.
Muff had a little training in art and plenty of talent, so it was natural his comrades
encouraged the young man to paint nose art on the aircraft and murals in the
hangars. After the war he tried to foster a career painting wildlife, but the public's
interest was limited. Under the veteran's education program, Muff completed a
degree at the Ontario College of Art then joined a Toronto graphic arts firm, retiring
as head of the art department in 1985.
Daughter Jan McEwin recalls a magical father who "would be sitting in the middle of
a group of kids telling stories and drawing."
She described huge cartoon characters etched for his children's bedroom walls,
each with a wacky name. "Dad would tell us bedtime stories based on these
cartoons."
Muff also loved to march children through the forest, pointing out nature,
documenting bird sightings. "We were always hiking," Jan said. "We cross-country
skied together, downhill skied together." Later in life, Muff's interest in nature
focused on mushrooms and fungi, then, after completing a mycology degree at the
University of Toronto, he became a much sought after public speaker on the topic.
After retirement, Muff and Norma returned to Cambridge where a new career was
launched the day he handed over a cartoon to the editor of the Cambridge Times.
The cartoon was not only accepted, but Muff was asked to contribute weekly,
lampooning local dignitaries, touching on political issues. It was a fun job that kept
Muff busy for the next 10 years and endeared him to many of the locals, though not
necessarily the politicians.
"You'd made it as a politician if Muff cartooned you," said Shirley.
Danny Katsorov owns the barber shop, a fun and chaotic gathering place in Galt. He
was Muff's longtime friend and has dedicated a wall to artist's cartoons.
Danny recalled how Muff lovingly cared for Norma for seven years, after she
developed Alzheimer's disease. "He was a strong man, unselfish," Danny said.
"Muff had loyalty, right to the end. He was a very special man."
Muff expended his considerable energies on his friendships, his marriage and his
art and was never concerned about making big bucks. Friend Bob Green recounts
when Muff sold an autographed record album of Duke Ellington for $100 to the
president of the musician's fan club, just because it meant so much to her. A few
years later, the album reappeared at an auction receiving a bid of $25,000, though
the owner was holding out for $100,000. "That typifies Muff . . . easy come, easy go,"
said Bob. "It didn't bother him much. Muff took everything pretty easily. He was a
wonderful guy."
Rob Piasentini recalls how Muff always wanted to share everything, and sometimes
it was time consuming. "If you went to pick him up, you didn't go into the house . . .
he'd want to show you something. Even when he came down to the car, he started
talking halfway into the car. I'd have to tell him to get in, tell me his story while we
were driving."
Muff was never in a hurry, always had a good yarn to spin and he shared his
wonderful sense of humour with everyone. "No one laughed harder at Muff than
Muff," added Shirley.
There will be a celebration of the artist's life Saturday, May 26, 2007, from 1 p.m. to 4
p.m. at the Salvation Army, 16 Shade St., Cambridge with tributes and an exhibit of
the artist's works. For more information call 519-620-1997.
Muff Mills leaves behind daughter Jan McEwin, sons Kenneth and David and two
grandchildren. Predeceased by his wife Norma in 2002.
Danny's barbershop in Cambridge to remember the artist.
Muff was a real character, a guy who was so interested in people he collected
friends like a child collects wild flowers: each valued for its beauty and uniqueness.
"He had that ability to make you feel you were the only one, that you were very
special . . . (from) babies up to seniors," said friend Shirley Murdoch. "When anyone
met him, you'd never forget him."
Muff Mills was born in Toronto, the youngest of three. In 1941, at only 18, the
adventurous Muff joined the air force, training at the Galt Aircraft School. After
graduation he served as ground crew for the heavy bomber squadron, stationed in
England. It was here that Muff first flexed his artistic muscle.
Muff had a little training in art and plenty of talent, so it was natural his comrades
encouraged the young man to paint nose art on the aircraft and murals in the
hangars. After the war he tried to foster a career painting wildlife, but the public's
interest was limited. Under the veteran's education program, Muff completed a
degree at the Ontario College of Art then joined a Toronto graphic arts firm, retiring
as head of the art department in 1985.
Daughter Jan McEwin recalls a magical father who "would be sitting in the middle of
a group of kids telling stories and drawing."
She described huge cartoon characters etched for his children's bedroom walls,
each with a wacky name. "Dad would tell us bedtime stories based on these
cartoons."
Muff also loved to march children through the forest, pointing out nature,
documenting bird sightings. "We were always hiking," Jan said. "We cross-country
skied together, downhill skied together." Later in life, Muff's interest in nature
focused on mushrooms and fungi, then, after completing a mycology degree at the
University of Toronto, he became a much sought after public speaker on the topic.
After retirement, Muff and Norma returned to Cambridge where a new career was
launched the day he handed over a cartoon to the editor of the Cambridge Times.
The cartoon was not only accepted, but Muff was asked to contribute weekly,
lampooning local dignitaries, touching on political issues. It was a fun job that kept
Muff busy for the next 10 years and endeared him to many of the locals, though not
necessarily the politicians.
"You'd made it as a politician if Muff cartooned you," said Shirley.
Danny Katsorov owns the barber shop, a fun and chaotic gathering place in Galt. He
was Muff's longtime friend and has dedicated a wall to artist's cartoons.
Danny recalled how Muff lovingly cared for Norma for seven years, after she
developed Alzheimer's disease. "He was a strong man, unselfish," Danny said.
"Muff had loyalty, right to the end. He was a very special man."
Muff expended his considerable energies on his friendships, his marriage and his
art and was never concerned about making big bucks. Friend Bob Green recounts
when Muff sold an autographed record album of Duke Ellington for $100 to the
president of the musician's fan club, just because it meant so much to her. A few
years later, the album reappeared at an auction receiving a bid of $25,000, though
the owner was holding out for $100,000. "That typifies Muff . . . easy come, easy go,"
said Bob. "It didn't bother him much. Muff took everything pretty easily. He was a
wonderful guy."
Rob Piasentini recalls how Muff always wanted to share everything, and sometimes
it was time consuming. "If you went to pick him up, you didn't go into the house . . .
he'd want to show you something. Even when he came down to the car, he started
talking halfway into the car. I'd have to tell him to get in, tell me his story while we
were driving."
Muff was never in a hurry, always had a good yarn to spin and he shared his
wonderful sense of humour with everyone. "No one laughed harder at Muff than
Muff," added Shirley.
There will be a celebration of the artist's life Saturday, May 26, 2007, from 1 p.m. to 4
p.m. at the Salvation Army, 16 Shade St., Cambridge with tributes and an exhibit of
the artist's works. For more information call 519-620-1997.
Muff Mills leaves behind daughter Jan McEwin, sons Kenneth and David and two
grandchildren. Predeceased by his wife Norma in 2002.
| Editorial cartoonist always had a wonderful yarn to spin 'Muff had loyalty, right to the end' KW Record May 24, 2007 |
"Muff" Mills joined the RCAF in 1943 and
became an airframe mechanic. Late that year
he was posted to No. 428 Squadron where he
painted nose art on Wellington and later
Halifax and Lancaster Bombers. In May, 1945
he was assigned as one of the ground crew to
EQ-A with No. 408 Squadron. His brother was
one of the aircrew. Muff painted the nose art
on this aircraft "A for Abner" based on the Al
Capp newspaper comic strip.
became an airframe mechanic. Late that year
he was posted to No. 428 Squadron where he
painted nose art on Wellington and later
Halifax and Lancaster Bombers. In May, 1945
he was assigned as one of the ground crew to
EQ-A with No. 408 Squadron. His brother was
one of the aircrew. Muff painted the nose art
on this aircraft "A for Abner" based on the Al
Capp newspaper comic strip.
Muff also painted a large mural in the flight
room of No. 4 hangar at the Linton-on-Ouse
airbase. The mural depicted the mischievous
antics of Canadian airmen at "Fred's Pub."
room of No. 4 hangar at the Linton-on-Ouse
airbase. The mural depicted the mischievous
antics of Canadian airmen at "Fred's Pub."
Muff painted this artwork on two aircraft. In
February 1943 it was painted on No. 428
Squadron Wellington "C for Cuppa Tea" at
Dalton, near Thirsk, in Yorkshire. Then, in
January 1945, he painted it on No. 408
Squadron Lancaster "C for Cecil" at
Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire.
February 1943 it was painted on No. 428
Squadron Wellington "C for Cuppa Tea" at
Dalton, near Thirsk, in Yorkshire. Then, in
January 1945, he painted it on No. 408
Squadron Lancaster "C for Cecil" at
Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire.
Photos and text courtesy of The Nanton Lancaster Society