Ivan Miller (journalist)

{{Short description|Canadian journalist and sportscaster (1898–1967)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Use Canadian English|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Ivan Miller

| image = James Ivan Miller baseball player in 1920.jpg

| caption = Miller in 1920

| alt = Black and white photo of a young adult man in a baseball uniform

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1898|12|31}}

| birth_place = Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1967|6|2|1898|12|31}}

| death_place = Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

| occupation = Journalist and sportscaster

| years_active = 1922–1967

| employer = The Hamilton Spectator

| awards = Canadian Football Hall of Fame (1979)

}}

James Ivan Miller (December 31, 1898 – June 2, 1967) was a Canadian journalist and sportscaster. He worked 45 years for The Hamilton Spectator as a columnist, sports editor, and sports director, where he regularly covered the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Canadian football. As a radio sportscaster on CKOC, he gave play-by-play coverage of golf and ice hockey. As the founding president of the Ontario Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, he organized annual sports celebrities dinners to benefit the Ontario Society for Crippled Children. His final project was a book on the history of sports in Hamilton. He was posthumously inducted into the media section of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and the builder category of the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.

Before journalism, Miller played amateur baseball as a pitcher and won the 1920 Ontario Baseball Association championship. Hoping to turn professional with the Buffalo Bisons of the International League, an injury pitching for the Portsmouth Truckers in the Virginia League prevented his minor league progress after one season. He remained active in organizing sports in Hamilton, including golf and curling, was a committee member for the 1930 British Empire Games, and was the Canadian Football Hall of Fame's inaugural curator.

Early life

James Ivan Miller was born on December 31, 1898, in Hamilton, Ontario, to parents James Miller and Mary Rosanna Storey.{{Citation|last=Haworth|first=S.|title=Schedule A: Births|page=292|location=Wentworth County, Ontario|date=January 1899}} His father was born in England, and immigrated to Canada.{{Citation|last=Stratton|first=W. F.|title=Schedule B: Marriages|page=939|location=Wentworth County, Ontario|date=January 20, 1921}} In early life, Miller played multiple sports at the YMCA, including basketball, football, hockey, and soccer.{{cite news|title=All About Uncle Ive|last=Hanley|first=Bob |date=May 6, 1965|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=21|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1965/165838078/}}{{cite news|title=Friends To Amateurs To Pros: Miller death severs sports ties|last=Watkins|first=Joe|date=June 3, 1967|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1967/165299206/}} He married Florence Elizabeth Stevens on February 26, 1921, in Hamilton. Miller and his wife were Presbyterian, and he worked as a clerk.

Baseball career

Miller was a right-handed pitcher,{{cite news|title=Karpe's Comment|date=August 23, 1921|newspaper=The Buffalo News|page=20|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-miller-1921/165430485/}} stood {{convert|6|ft|4|in}} tall, and weighed {{convert|225|lb}}.{{cite web|url=https://cfhof.ca/members/ivan-miller/|title=Ivan Miller|date=1979|website=Canadian Football Hall of Fame|access-date=February 11, 2025}} He began playing amateur baseball in Hamilton, for the Bayviews in 1917. He was undefeated pitching for the Bayviews in the 1918 season, then pitched for the Westinghouse team in the 1919 season.{{cite news|title=Central League Men In Action|date=April 21, 1919|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1919/165886789/}} Despite being a pitcher, Miller was a hard-hitting batter and near the top of the league in batting average during the 1920 season.{{cite news|title=Ivan Miller is Leading Hitter|date=June 23, 1920|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1920/165887759/}} He lost only game that season, and won the 1920 Ontario Baseball Association championship with the Plowites. His only loss was came in an 11-inning game due to fielding errors.{{cite news|title=Ivan Miller to Join Buffalo Team on the Spring Training Trip|date=November 18, 1920|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=20|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1920/165395819/}} While in Hamilton, Miller was nicknamed Ivan "the Terrible".{{cite news|title=Karpe's Comment|date=September 17, 1921|newspaper=The Buffalo News|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-miller-1921/166013235/}}

Planning to join the Buffalo Bisons of the International League for spring training, Miller hoped to turn professional in the 1921 season. He began the season with the Plowites, waiting until July when the Plowites were assured of winning the 1921 city championship, signing a contract offered by professional Buffalo's by manager Hooks Wiltse. Miller was assigned to the Portsmouth Truckers in the Virginia League, since Buffalo had ample pitching at the time.{{cite news|title=Ivan Miller Signs With Bisons and Will Be Sent to Portsmouth|date=July 5, 1921|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1921/165889827/}} Reporting to Portsmouth's player-manager was Jim Viox,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=08619b27|title=1921 Portsmouth Truckers Statistics|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=February 17, 2025}} Miller wrote that he was welcomed with open arms, and won his first game, giving up only five infield hits and striking out ten batters.{{cite news|title=Sporting Comment|date=July 20, 1921|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1921/165890180/}} In five games with Portsmouth, Miller had two wins and one loss, and pitched 31 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=miller101---|title=Miller Minor Leagues Statistics|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=February 17, 2025}} Portsmouth turned Miller back to Buffalo late in August,{{cite news|title=Baseball Gossip|date=August 28, 1921|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|page=21|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-miller-1921/166012704/}} and he returned to Hamilton due to an injury while pitching. Reported at the time as being a sore arm, it was later described as a back injury that stopped his minor league progress.{{efn|The injury was reported as a sore arm in 1923.{{cite news|title=Ivan Miller to Pitch For Hams This Afternoon|date=June 2, 1923|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1923/165431869/}} Memorials about Miller in 1967 wrote that a back injury ended his minor league career.{{cite web|url=https://hamiltonsportshalloffame.com/ivan-miller/|title=Ivan Miller|date=2022|website=Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame|location=Hamilton, Ontario|access-date=February 11, 2025}}{{cite news|title=5 local legends shine amid Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame inductions|last=Mitchell|first=Don|date=February 25, 2022|work=Global News|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8646727/5-local-legends-hamilton-sports-hall-of-fame/|access-date=February 11, 2025}}}}

File:Buffalo Bisons baseball team photo at spring training in 1922.jpg

Miller was on the 1922 spring training roster for the Bisons, in Gastonia, North Carolina.{{cite news|title=Bison Roster Made Known By Wiltse|last=Devereaux|first=Bill|date=March 8, 1922|newspaper=The Buffalo Enquirer|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-enquirer-miller-1922/165430770/}} He was sent home early in April,{{cite news|title=Herd Trounces Spinners In Handy Fashion|date=April 8, 1922|newspaper=The Buffalo Enquirer|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-enquirer-miller-1922/165430863/}} for assignment to a farm team since Buffalo had ample pitching.{{cite news|title=Ivan Miller|date=April 10, 1922|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1922/165395930/}} He reported to the Brantford Brants in the Michigan–Ontario League,{{cite news|title=Ivan Miller With Brantford Team|date=April 13, 1922|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=30|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1922/165431058/}} but was released after a try out.{{cite news|title=Hamilton Team At Kitchener For Three Days|date=May 8, 1922|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1922/165431220/}} He joined the Port Huron Saints in May,{{cite news|title=Notes of the Game|date=May 29, 1922|newspaper=The Times Herald|location=Port Huron, Michigan|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-miller-1922/166014083/}} where he pitched briefly before his release.{{cite news|title=Baseball Season Will Open Here On Monday In Brand New City Park|date=May 20, 1922|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1922/165890808/}} He unsuccessfully tried out with the Hamilton Tigers in the Michigan–Ontario League,{{cite news|title=Hamilton Roster Will be Within League Limit Before the Road Trip|date=May 26, 1922|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1922/165431364/}} then finished the season pitching for Watford in the Lambton County Baseball League.{{cite news|title=Ivan Miller in Lambton League|date=June 14, 1922|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=20|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1922/165431521/}}

Not recovering from his injury until late in 1922, Miller turned down an offer from the Hamilton Tigers in August. He later pitched for the Hamilton Tigers in the 1923 Michigan–Ontario League season, and the Hamilton Clippers in the 1924 Michigan–Ontario League season.{{cite news|title=Adams Will Pitch First Game Today|date=June 19, 1924|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1924/165431893/}}

After his playing career, Miller worked regularly as an umpire for the 1929 and 1930 amateur baseball seasons in Hamilton.{{cite news|title=Patersons Set For Hard Tilt|date=August 12, 1929|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=19|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1929/165884746/}}{{cite news|title=House of David Team Plays Here Tomorrow|date=May 13, 1930|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=22|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1930/165884945/}}

Journalism and broadcasting

File:The Old Spectator Building. 1931.jpg

Miller began working for The Hamilton Spectator in 1922, became the sports editor in 1944, then the sports director in 1958. He started in beat reporting on the Hamilton Police Service, before he was the newspaper's third sports editor.{{cite news|title=Friends mourn Ivan–unique, untiring|last=Hanley|first=Bob|date=June 3, 1967|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1967/165299094/}} His recurring columns included "The Sport Trial",{{cite news|title=The Sport Trial|last=Miller|first=Ivan|date=December 23, 1946|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=24|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-mulqueen-1946/163890581/}} and "Listening In On Sports Broadcast".{{cite news|title=Listening In On Sports Broadcast|last=Miller|first=Ivan|date=February 5, 1935|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=20|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1935/166132080/}} He regularly covered the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Canadian football, including columns and articles for the amateur, semi-professional, and professional eras of the game. His other frequent subjects were baseball, curling, golf, ice hockey, rowing, and track and field; and events including the Grey Cup, the World Series, and the Indianapolis 500.{{efn|Miller regularly covered baseball, hockey, rowing, and international track and field. Miller reported on curling and golf.{{cite news|title=Tributes trace span of career|last=Watkins|first=Joe|date=June 3, 1967|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1967/165299320/}} Miller covered the Grey Cup, the World Series, and the Indianapolis 500.{{cite news|title=Five legends enshrined in Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame|last=Newman|first=Mark|date=February 25, 2022|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|url=https://www.thespec.com/news/five-legends-enshrined-in-hamilton-sports-hall-of-fame/article_25e38985-cdaa-54f6-9e0e-a7a08845cc2c.html|access-date=February 11, 2025}}}}

Licences for private commercial radio stations in Canada were first granted in 1922,{{cite web|url=https://broadcasting-history.ca/the-history-of-canadian-broadcasting/industry-government/history-of-canadian-broadcast-regulation/the-history-of-canadian-broadcast-regulation/|title=The History of Canadian Broadcast Regulation|date=2025|website=Canadian Communications Foundation|access-date=February 19, 2025}} when Hamilton's CKOC began broadcasting.{{cite web|url=https://broadcasting-history.ca/radio/radio-stations/ontario/ontario-hamilton-niagara/ckoc-am/|title=CKOC-AM|date=2025|website=Canadian Communications Foundation|access-date=February 22, 2025}} From the rolling hills of Ancaster in 1923, Miller broadcast on CKOC the first play-by-play report on a golf tournament in Canada, by using a system of flag semaphore from boy scouts at each hole.{{efn|Information on the golf broadcast is compiled from these quoted sources:

  • "Miller employed a flag system of communication with local boy scouts to provide play-by-play of the first golf broadcast by CKOC in 1923".
  • "From the rolling hills of Ancaster, Miller gave the first play-by-play report on a golf tournament in Canada, using a flag system by local boy scouts".
  • "Miller broadcast play-by-play of a golf tournament by using flag semaphore from boy scouts at each hole".{{cite news|title=Golf Honors Miller|date=April 12, 1967|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=28|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1967/165394485/}}}} In the same year, he began broadcasting ice hockey games on CKOC from the Barton Street Arena. Hockey coach George Redding credited Miller for originating the "Tattered Tigers" nickname in 1945, referring to old uniforms worn by the Hamilton Tigers team on route to reaching the 1946 Allan Cup finals.{{cite news|title=Miller Tributes Still Coming In: Funeral Tuesday|date=June 5, 1967|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1967/166027064/}}

Miller and Bobby Hewitson organized the Ontario Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (OSSA) with Miller as the first president, and organized the annual OSSA Sports Celebrities Dinner for charity.{{cite web|url=https://nhlofficials.com/nhl-officials/alumni/rw-hewitson/|title=R. W. (Bobby) Hewitson|date=|website=National Hockey League Officials' Association|access-date=February 17, 2024}} The first dinner was held on March 13, 1952, benefitting the Ontario Society for Crippled Children.{{cite web|url=https://connsmythedinner.com/history-of-the-conn-smythe-dinner/|title=History|website=Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner & Auction|access-date=February 17, 2024}} During Miller's lifetime, the annual dinner at the Royal York Hotel raised approximately $500,000 for charity.{{efn|The Sports Celebrities Dinner later became the Rogers-Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner & Auction in support of Easter Seals.}} Also in 1952, OSSA held its first annual curling bonspiel for its members.{{cite news|title=Scribes Stage First 'Spiel|agency=The Canadian Press|date=January 21, 1952|newspaper=St. Catharines Standard|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-ossa-1952/165840472/}}

In Hamilton, he was a colleague of Melville Marks Robinson and David Griffin.{{cite news|title=Members of the Spectator Editorial Staff|date=July 15, 1926|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-griffin-1926/167973156/}} While working in the editorial room in 1931, the newspaper's editor called upon Miller (because of his size) to remove a disgruntled man dressed as Santa Claus from the building, which resulted in Miller being bitten by the man.{{cite news|title=The Day Santa Claus Bit Ivan|last=Hanley|first=Bob|date=May 13, 1965|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=22|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1965/165299493/}} Miller retired from full-time journalism in 1964, but continued to cover curling, football, golf, and wrestling until 1967.

=Reputation=

File:The Hamilton Spectator journalists 1926 group photo.jpg

Miller was known as "Uncle Ive" to his colleagues.{{cite news|title=Uncle Ivey Humbly Eloquent|last=Watkins|first=Joe|date=May 13, 1965|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=22|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1965/165299589/}} He was known as a hardworking journalist with a positive attitude, and work ethic to write seven days and nights per week. His writing style was described as "factual, tolerant, broad-minded, and absent of discrimination", and that he followed the creed, "if you can't boost, don't knock". Sportscaster Norm Marshall felt that Miller's athletic background let him be sympathetic to athletes, and that he had "the ability to find the unusual angle in a news development, then transpose it into literate, readable prose". Sportswriter Elmer Ferguson wrote that Miller "never lost a sense of complete impartiality and sportsmanlike fairness".

=Publications=

Miller's final project was an unfinished book on the history of sports in Hamilton, planned for release during the 1967 Canadian Centennial. The book was completed and published by Al Macfarlane.

  • {{cite book|last=Miller|first=Ivan|title=Centennial Sports Review, Hamilton, Canada: Sports over the century, 1867–1967|publisher=Al Macfarlane Enterprises|date=1967|location=Hamilton, Ontario|oclc=1007611558}}{{cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1007611558|title=Centennial Sports Review, Hamilton, Canada: Sports over the century, 1867-1967|via=WorldCat|oclc=1007611558|access-date=February 14, 2025}}

Sports administrator

Miller was a committee member for the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, and an official on the Hamilton and District Golf Activities Committee for 20 years. He was a member of the Chedoke Golf Club, and organized competitions between golf clubs. He was a vice-chairman of the committee in 1949, and was chairman from 1950 to 1952.{{efn|Miller was a member of the Chedoke Golf Club, and vice-chairman of the Hamilton and District Golf Activities Committee.{{cite news|title=Golf Committee Sets Date For Important Events During 1949|date=March 16, 1949|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=35|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1949/166132691/}} Miller was named chairman in 1950,{{cite news|title=Inter Club Games Open June 11|date=April 4, 1950|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=34|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1950/166132854/}} and his term ended in 1952.{{cite news|title=New Trophy Is Donated For Interclub Series; Woodcroft Is Chairman|date=March 25, 1952|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=24|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1952/166132921/}}}} Other sports involvement included being a judge at the Hamilton Jockey Club Racetrack, an official of The Brier, treasurer of the Hamilton Bonspiel, and helping to organize baseball, rowing, and the Around the Bay Road Race. When the CANUSA Games were established in 1958 as an annual friendly international sporting competition for youths in Hamilton, and Flint, Michigan, Miller wrote the games' code of ethics and athletes' oath.{{cite news|title=CANUSA Games: Local Athletes Travel to Flint|date=July 9, 1958|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1958/166118270/}}{{cite news|title=Plans Advancing for Canusa Meet|last=Watkins|first=Joe|date=March 21, 1959|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1959/166118307/}}

File:CanadianFootballHallofFame.JPG

In 1963, Hamilton was given the privilege of establishing a Canadian Football Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=https://cfhof.ca/history/|title=History|website=Canadian Football Hall of Fame|access-date=February 12, 2025}} Miller was the hall of fame's inaugural curator, and sought donations from across Canada for the museum.{{cite news|title=Old football items sought|date=May 11, 1963|newspaper=The Leader-Post|location=Regina, Saskatchewan|page=27|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leader-post-miller-1963/165425085/}} By 1964, Miller had collected more items than space was available for display, including game-worn uniforms and game-used footballs. The hall of fame was temporarily located in a large house near Scott Park, but soon had to be vacated for a high school to be built.{{cite news|title=Visitors Boost Hall of Fame|date=March 2, 1964|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=38|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-cfhof-1964/165837714/}} The hall of fame sought financial donations to build a permanent location, instead of receiving funding through municipal taxes. The collection went into storage until a new location was opened in 1972.

Honours and legacy

In May 1965, Miller was the guest of honour at a testimonial banquet held at the Sheraton-Connaught Hotel, with more than 600 in attendance. His gifts included a trip to the 1965 World Series, a gold watch, and a gold transistor radio. He was an honorary life member of both Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVIC), and the Leander Boat Club of Hamilton.{{efn|The Leander Boat Club was established in 1927, and represented Canada in rowing at the British Empire Games in 1930, at the Summer Olympic Games in 1932, 1936, 1948, and 1952.{{cite web|url=https://leanderboatclubofhamilton.com/history/|title=History of Leander Boat Club of Hamilton|website=Leander Boat Club of Hamilton|access-date=February 18, 2025}}}} In April 1967, Miller was honoured at the Ontario Golf Association centennial dinner for his lifetime of contributions to golf and promoting the game. He was one of only two Canadians at the time to hold a Professional Golfers' Association of America gold badge, gaining him entrance to any golf tournament.

Several awards were named for Miller after his death. In 1967, ANAVIC renamed its junior version of the annual Billy Sherring Around the Bay Road Race, to "The Ivan Miller Memorial", in recognition of his years of promoting the race.{{cite news|title=About Many Things|last=Hanley|first=Bob|date=September 26, 1967|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1967/166026467/}} The Ivan Miller Memorial Trophy was first presented by The Hamilton Spectator in 1968, for the team championship of the Hamilton and District Golf Activities Committee.{{cite news|title=In Memory Of 'Ive'|date=August 9, 1968|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-memorial/166025070/}} Since 1968, the CANUSA Games presents annually the Ivan Miller Award to a volunteer for service and exemplifying the philosophy and ideals of the event.{{cite web|url=https://canusagames.com/about/awards/|title=Award Winners|date=2022|website=CANUSA Games|location=Hamilton, Ontario|access-date=February 12, 2025}}{{cite news|title=For A Job Well Done|date=March 30, 1968|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1968/166025687/}} Miller was posthumously inducted to the media section of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1979,{{cite news|title=Four writers gain football hall spots|agency=The Canadian Press|date=November 28, 1979|newspaper=Victoria Times|page=26|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-colonist-miller-1979/165425148/}} and into the builder category of the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

Personal life

Miller lived in Hamilton, and had four sons and three daughters.{{cite news|title=Miller, J. Ivan|date=June 3, 1967|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=43|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1967/165229792/}} He was a member of the Lions Clubs International of Hamilton,{{cite news|title=Lions Club: Four New Members Swell Record Meeting|date=February 1, 1926|newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator|page=17|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-miller-1926/165885738/}} and was a recreational curler in bonspiels across Ontario. He began playing golf at the same time he started working at The Hamilton Spectator, and won the OSSA golf tournament 23 times. He also worked as a golf professional at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Miller died on June 2, 1967, at Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, after a month-long illness. He was interred at the White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Hamilton.

Notes

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References

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