It is with sadness that The Millstone reports the passing of Val Sears, 88, at Almonte General Hospital just after midnight on Friday, January 22, 2016. Val died peacefully in the presence of his wife Edith Cody-Rice, having been surrounded for days by his children, Kelly, Kit and Robin as well as Edith. He was grandfather to Amit, Lee, Matthew, Taiyan and Yariv. He is survived by his wife Edith, his children and his first wife Margaret Cameron Sears. Val was one of Canada’s leading political journalists devoting most of his career to the Toronto Star. In retirement, after his permanent move to Almonte in 2011, he was the inspiration for the Millstone which grew out of his desire to found an Almonte Press Club. He became editor and publisher of the Millstone and recently assumed the title of Honorary Publisher.
Always curious and fascinated by the world, he was a voracious reader and an avid traveller all his life. He was Bureau Chief for The Star in Ottawa, London and Washington and retired as the paper’s National Political Editor. He will be dearly missed by family, friends, former colleagues, and two generations of Canadian journalists. Our deepest thanks to the staff of the Almonte General Hospital for granting him a peaceful and dignified passing, and especially to Dr. Christiane Deschenes. Val will be buried in a private family ceremony. A celebration of his life will be held later this year at a time and place to be announced. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Almonte General Hospital Foundation or to the Mills Community Support, both of which supported Val in his final years.
