Claire Salih
Andrew R.T. McMillan aka Max
Born in Bradford on 8 November 1950 to Robert McMillan & Marion Johnson.
Passed away peacefully at his home near Palm Springs in Southern California on the 21st September aged 73 years old, with his Daughter Claire and Son Christopher by his side.
Max had a full and colorful life with countless interests and hobbies and a wonderful ability to make friends wherever he went.
In early school life – Max's love of sports was encouraged and allowed to flourish while attending Drumtochty Castle Boarding School, where he would meet his lifelong best friend Rick Grandison. Max demonstrated an aptitude for sports at Macki Academy in one of Scotland’s most fertile agricultural regions: Kincardineshire. Max continued his education at Aberdeen’ College of Commerce, focusing on his love of hospitality.
However Max’s love of people saw him foray in to the hospitality industry, firstly at the Strathmore Arms in Glamis where he gathered numerous brilliant anecdotes about the Queen Mother; who would often appear in the kitchen, where he would furnish her with a gin & tonic as Her Majesty took a great interest in Max and the other staff buzzing about in the Strathmore Arms: which was on her family’s estate in Glamis.
By the time Max’s mother retired from her illustrious career as a Queens Nurse, she went on to run the Clatterin’ Brig. They were living at Inverluther House - just over two miles from the farm owned by the family of his soon to be wife and mother of his children: Moira.
Moira had come to work as a waitress at the Clatterin’ Brig while studying nursing in Aberdeen. The pair soon fell in love and were married within the year.
On marrying – they took ownership of the Red Lion Inn near Falkirk in the central belt of Scotland. Soon the couple were blessed by the arrival of their Daughter Claire in 1975 followed by their Son Christopher in 1977. Sadly their marriage was not a long one. In 1982, Max made his way to start a new life in Los Angeles and then onto San Francisco where he continued honing his skills in the hospitality industry.
Though it was in 2020 that Max took up a position with the Presidio Trust in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, where he worked as a turf expert managing all the ballfields for the last 20 years of his working life. All the while keeping up his love of sports as an avid golfer and sailor and where he also chalked up hours flying light aircraft round the Bay Area.
Only his love of music matched Max's love of sport. Playing in several bands: Delorean Wrecks, Circus Minor, Presidiots and Prickly Pears. A man that was as comfortable playing his bass guitar, providing percussion on his collection of drums, as a vocalist or taking center stage playing his beloved saxophone. You would often find him playing under the Palace of Fine Arts on a warm evening enjoying the amazing acoustics.
On finally retiring in 2021 Max moved to Cathedral City, where he quickly established himself as an active member of the community. Max took part in everything from playing in bands, leading yoga classes, becoming a champion pickleball player, immersing himself in art classes and exploring the desert with the resident hiking group.
In July 2024 Max was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Knowing his time was limited, Max embarked on a farewell tour of the UK, where he spent time firstly in London. Max was able to attend his final Chelsea match with lifelong friend Rick, before journeying north to his beloved Scotland. Whilst there - Max and Son Christopher enjoyed a week of glorious weather taking in the delights of Perthshire’s Gleneagles, before exploring the west coast highlands including Loch Lomond, Loch Goil Head and Inverary.
On returning to California, Max was able to enjoy his granddaughter Chloe’s 15th Birthday celebrations and witnessed Chloe’s volleyball team in full flight as they romped home with a well-deserved victory. A proud day for a beaming Grandfather!
In the wee small hours of the 21st of September, Max slipped peacefully away with his Daughter Claire and Son Christopher by his side at his home in Southern California, as his favorite Jazz musician Miles Davis played softly, heralding him to the Highlands in the sky and to his next incarnation.
Max was finally laid to rest on the 2nd of October in what was an annular eclipse or “ring of fire”. As a man who put great significance in such events it was a fitting date for him to transcend to the next realm.
Max is survived by his Daughter Claire, his Granddaughter Chloe, Son in law Greg and his Son Christopher who would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have offered heartfelt condolences to the man who has left an indelible mark on all our lives.
Max will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him and will no doubt be remembered for his winning smile, his love of sports, art, music, nature and his irrepressible sense of humor.
May he rest in peace.
Chloe and Claire will climb for the American Lung Association in his honor: https://action.lung.org/goto/chloes2025
