Yellowknife (Feb 18/04) - Three decades and many memories after his first job with Canada Post, Keith Miller is soon to retire.

But Miller, who works as customer relationship manager in Yellowknife, will not have a successor once he says goodbye June 15.

"I am the last customer relationship manager in all of Canada," he says of his now defunct title.

"There's no need for my position any more. There is so much customer information on our Web site that customers can access. And there are pools of help by calling our 1-800 telephone number."

Being what he describes as the "token man" in the otherwise all-woman Yellowknife facility has been a great experience.

"I'll miss the people most of all," he said.

"I've met genuinely caring people."

His job, which has eventually taken him to all but six communities North of 60, started in 1967 as a letter carrier in New Westminster, B.C.

Miller moved extensively throughout the North.

From being one of the first to drive on the new highway from Whitehorse to Scagway, Alaska, to being a Lion's Club chef for 2,400 people outside in -20 C in Inuvik, Miller has many tales to tell.

And it was in Inuvik in 1984 where he reconnected with childhood friend Donna. About a year later, they married.

Many of the people Miller recalls are reflected in the stories he tells of his visits to small communities during his time in the North -- the common denominator being perseverance and consideration.

"Only the best people can survive some of those conditions -- and I've met so many of them," he said.

Miller also has been a tireless volunteer with the Boy Scouts, Lion's Club and the officer's mess in Inuvik, as well as being a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Canadian Legion.

While Canada Post was once a department of the government offering "poor or worse" service to the North, Miller said it has come a long way and continues to improve.

"The ongoing ethic was 'if you don't like it, too bad,' but now people can access all our products and services," he said.

"And it's gone from being run by southerners to being run by people in the North."

The Northern Services Division is a model for aboriginal hiring and promoting, he said.

"The majority of our employees are aboriginal," he said.

Miller will be moving on to Salmon Arm, B.C., after his retirement, but says the North will always hold fond memories for him.

But as for leaving the North for good -- as he has said more than once during his Northern life, he will take no bets on whether he will someday return.