R. Vance Milligan

Vance Milligan was born in Calgary in 1952. He received his B.A. with Distinction from the University of Lethbridge in 1975 and completed his LL.B. at the University of Alberta in 1978. After graduating from law school, he accepted an articling position with the Calgary based law firm Bennett Jones. During the summer before he was to begin working, he suffered a tragic surfing accident that left him a quadriplegic. The road back from that injury was extremely difficult, but he was brave and determined to achieve independence and resume his career. After a lengthy and arduous rehabilitation program, Vance joined Bennett Jones in 1979. Despite the many obstacles that he faced, Vance had a long and very successful career as a lawyer and partner with Bennett Jones until his retirement in 2010.

Vance also made significant contributions to the community. He was a driving force in the creation of the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation (APF) in 1987, and he served as Chairman and the de facto Chief Operating Officer until his passing in 2023. The APF distributed more than $17 million dollars for spinal cord research and rehabilitation for those challenged by spinal cord injuries during Vance’s tenure. He also served on various non-proHit and charitable boards, including the Calgary Handi-Bus Association, the Canadian Paraplegic Association, the Man in Motion World Tour, the Calgary YMCA, the Rick Hansen Legacy Fund, the National Neurotrauma Initiative, and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

Vance was recognized with the Suzanne Mah Award by the Alberta Human Rights Commission. This honor is awarded to the lawyer who best exemplifies the principles of human rights and ideals.
Other awards Vance received included: the Hon. Lois Hole Community Development Award for his contributions to the lives of people with disabilities; the 2009 Alumni Award from the University of Alberta; the Gary McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award which recognizes outstanding contributions to the cause of making Alberta a better place for people with disabilities; and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to his fellow citizens and his country. Vance was also appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) for Alberta.

Vance truly led a heroic and fulfilling life. He directly inspired many and made the world a better place for even more. After his retirement from the practice of law, it was Vance’s dream to provide financial assistance from the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation (“APF”) to persons with a spinal cord injury in Alberta who were experiencing financial hardship. Unfortunately, Vance’s own health issues prevented him from fulfilling this dream. To recognize his lifetime of service and carry his volunteer work forward, the APF has recently established the R. Vance Milligan Memorial Fund in his honour. This fund will provide funding for the newly formed Accessibility Funding program being administered by Spinal Cord Injury Alberta. The Accessibility Funding program was created to fulfill Vance’s dream of providing financial assistance to persons with a spinal cord injury in Alberta who are experiencing financial hardship.

Vance Milligan passed away on September 25th, 2023, enveloped in the love of his wife Maureen, son Jeremy, daughter-in-law Megan, grandchildren Norah and Caleb and his sister Karen. He will be forever missed and loved by his extended family, large circle of friends and many others who were grateful to have known him.