Miller, David “Dave” Vaughan - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Miller on August 30, 2025, in Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Dave died of heart failure two weeks short of his 73rd birthday, following several years of ill health and a recent struggle with kidney stones.
Dave was born in Brookfield where he attended elementary school and developed a love for the outdoors and his first dog, Pixie. His family moved to Bedford in 1964. After high school, Dave attended Memorial University in Newfoundland, and then returned to Nova Scotia to begin a career in banking. This took him to New Brunswick and then to British Columbia, ending up as a bank manager before moving back to his beloved Nova Scotia. He eventually started up his own business with his wife, Jess, whom he met in BC and married in the Philippines. They settled in Shubenacadie.
Dave was a passionate Canadian and a true Nova Scotian. Apart from the outdoors and his dogs, Dave’s other passions were photography, playing his guitar, writing songs, and even recording them. Back in his beloved NS, Dave met up with a group of local musicians — they were the joy of his life. They practiced together weekly and played at many NS venues and community centres. He continued to play with this group of friends in and around Shubenacadie until just before his recent hospital visit.
Dave is survived by his wife, Jess; his daughter from his first marriage, Erin Miller, New Zealand; and his older sisters, Faye, Toronto; and Wendy, Windsor. He was predeceased by his parents, Ruth Miller (Weaver) and Floyd Miller; and his sisters, Barbara and Trish “Emma”.
The family would especially like to thank the nurses and doctors who gave Dave special care at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro.
Down by the Sea
(Original Music & Lyrics by David Miller)
I was born in the Maritimes in 1952
When you’re from the Maritimes
You do what you gotta do
If you wanna just survive
This new world colony
Down in the Maritimes, Down by the Sea
Like many of my friends
I’ve travelled far away
to BC and Calgary and up to Thunder Bay
But the place I love the most
The one I truly need
Down in the Maritimes, Down by the Sea
(Chorus)
Something in the Maritimes
It’s always calling me
Calling to bring me home
Back down by the sea
People in the Maritimes
Have a long old history
Of getting by on something less
Than the rest of our country
But we’ve got an ace you know
We wear it on our sleeve
We’re one big family
Down by the Sea
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