More than £3,000 raised in memory of late Eastbourne hotel owner
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Ian Millar, who used to own Cromwell Hotel in Cavendish Place with his wife, had been suffering from small cell lung cancer.
Mr Millar moved to the town in 1991 and owned the hotel for 16 years. The Eastbourne man was also the local hotel association’s chairman on three occasions – now the Eastbourne Hospitality Association.
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Hide AdDespite being cared for by his wife Liz and daughters Avril and Alison for a period of time, the family said they were assisted by St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
Mr Millar’s daughter Mrs Gillman said: “In terms of a local hospice, I think that was always at the front of his mind.
“It’s a local hospice servicing local people and without that local service you don’t have the care that is needed.”
More than £3,300 was raised by the family and friends of Mr Millar, who used to be in the Royal Navy, so that St Wilfrid’s Hospice could buy two new syringe drivers – which give patients a stream of medication through a plastic tube. Mr Millar’s family had visited St Wilfrid’s Hospice to present their donation.
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Hide AdMrs Gillman added: “He would have been exceptionally proud and it has made us proud to know that he was loved that much by so many people. It would make him proud because he has left something for the Eastbourne community.
“Although he is gone he has left something behind, like a legacy.”
Mrs Gillman described her ‘handyman’ father as someone who was always happy to help others.
She said: “He was amazing. He was always willing to offer advice and share. If someone new bought a hotel he would give them tips, things that would be helpful to them.
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Hide Ad“People will remember him for the advice given and the hand given when needed.”
Despite being diagnosed with stage four cancer in September 2021, Mr Millar’s family said he was determined to attend his mum’s 100th birthday celebrations in July 2022 – fortunately, chemotherapy made this possible.