Obituary of Milton Douglas WALLACE

Milton Douglas Wallace passed peacefully on Monday March 7, 2022 at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. He was born on May 31, 1935, the third son of Gerald and Opal (Newtson) Wallace in Woodstock Illinois, USA. Milton is survived by his wife Barbara (Heckman), his brother William, and his children; Sandy (Rob), Buddy (Diana), Elizabeth, and Tal (Miho), as well as his grand-children Angie, Mathew, Ashley, Jason, Lindsay, Evan, Camille and Hana, along with his 14 great grand-children. He was tragically predeceased by daughter Lisa, grand-daughter Melissa, and 2 great grandchildren Grant and Chace as well as his brother Robert. Milt was raised with his two brothers Robert and William, growing up primarily in Old Greenwich Connecticut. In his early life Milt was involved with the Boy Scouts, he also played violin. He enjoyed going to movies on Saturdays for 25 cents. He played high school football, until he was sidelined by a knee injury. Living near the Connecticut Sound, Milt learned sailing and was an avid swimmer. His early jobs included: beach life guard and yard work. He learned a love of growing things at a young age from his mom Opal. Milton had a life long love of learning and teaching. He gained a Masters degree in Engineering and worked as an aerospace engineer at Pratt and Whitney. Milt made a decision during this time which changed his life dramatically-he realized he did not want to help design rockets to kill people, and returned to school, earning his Masters in education in the late 1960’s. As a high school math teacher, management tolerated his apparent inability to wear a tie, overlooked due to his teaching skill and excellent rapport with his students, many of whom would be described as ‘hippie kids’. His sometimes unorthodox but effective approach created a close bond with his students. One example, Milt engaged in massive classroom squirt-gun fights with his students, at least until management caught on. The icing on Milt’s good-bye party cake featured a necktie. Milt’s students admired their teacher greatly, and after leaving teaching, many remained friends and in fact, came to visit him at home, discussing the war, spirituality, and non-mainstream ideas. Milt’s mind was opened to new ideas, he evolved into a seeker of spiritual truths, and a farmer. His students helped move the family to Milt’s first farm. Not long after this, Milt became interested in communal living and lived in several communal settings including on The Farm in Summertown Tennessee and at Whole Village in Caledon Ontario. Milt also taught elementary school math, college level environmentalism, and computer science. Milt later led workshops on environmentalism, greenhouse building, organic farming, straw bale and cob building, biochar, waste management and alternative living. He founded several non-profit organizations with Barbara including Sun Run Centre for Sustainable Living and co-facilitated a coalition of environmental organizations. Milton spent many years farming and was a passionate organic farmer and strong advocate for sustainable living. He owned several farms including a farm in Gilbertsville, N.Y. where he grew vegetables and raised cows and Sun Run Farm and EcoVillage in Cameron, Ontario. where he and wife Barbara set up a Community Supported Agriculture project and raised cows, while teaching interns, hundreds of school aged children on field trips, and over 5000 visitors from 26 countries how to live in a sustainable way, and how to farm in a way that does not have a negative impact on the earth. Milt also designed and built his own solar and wind power system well before these were widely seen. Milt influenced the lives of so many and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers a memorial gift to The Whole Village’s Carbon Offset Program (https://www.wholevillage.org/) or by making a commitment to living in a more sustainable way can be made. Online condolences may be made at www.imfunerals.com In Memoriam Funeral Services Inc. has been given the honour to serve the Wallace Family.