James R. Miller, II | 1930 - 2013 | Obituary

James R. Miller, II

May 4, 1930 - May 22, 2013

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U.S. VeteranCanaan, NH – James R. Miller, II, 83, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon after a brief illness.

He was born May 4, 1930 in Springfield, MA a son of the late Preston T. and Anna (Bemis) Miller and for a brief time lived in Massachusetts before the family moved to Canaan when he was 8. James attended Canaan Elementary School before attending Kimball Union Academy, graduating in 1948 and then enlisted in the Army, serving in Korea during the Korean War. After James was discharged he then attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1956 at which time he moved West Hartford, CT, where began working for Travelers Insurance and would eventually become a founding member of the Flagg Road United Church of Christ in West Hartford. It was during this time he married Joanne P. Holden in West Hartford on March 15, 1958. After a 30 year career with Travelers, James retired and moved to his family home in Canaan, where he has lived since.

Upon moving back to Canaan, James became very involved in the community serving as Chairman of the Meeting House Restoration Committee, was a member of the Mascoma Senior Citizens Center Site Committee, the Grafton County Senior Citizens Committee; he was a Trustee of the Old North Church and a member of the Social Summit Masonic Lodge #50 in Canaan. While attending the University of New Hampshire, James belonged to the ATO Fraternity and would often attend their reunions, even hosting several. He also served as his class agent for Kimball Union Academy and was recently recognized for 63 years of dedication to this position.

In his younger years, James enjoyed playing lacrosse and ice hockey and in later years he enjoyed taking part in fundraising events. He was also a fan of UNH Athletics, the New York Giants, Hartford Whalers and Boston Red Sox.

James was predeceased by his brothers Preston “Pep” and Chapin Miller.

He is survived by his wife 55 years Joanne Miller of Canaan; a daughter Susan Nero and her husband Robert P. of East Granby, CT; a son James R. Miller, III and his wife Angela V. of East Hartford, CT; two grandchildren Joanna and Robert D. Nero, his brother Pep’s children, with whom he was very close to Ann Hotchkiss and her husband Richard and Chapin Miller and his wife Susan all of Tennessee and his beloved dog Chloe. The family would like to especially thank all of the doctor’s and nurse’s at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care they gave to James.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield, NH on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 from 5-7PM. A memorial service will be held on August 17, 2013 at 2PM in the Old North Church in Canaan with burial following in the Canaan Street Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mascoma Valley Senior Center, PO Box 210, Canaan, NH 03741 with check please made payable to the Mascoma Area Senior Center or Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, 5 Alice Peck Day Dr., Lebanon, NH 03766.


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