S. Lee Miller

1932 - 2017

MILLER, S. LEE
84, of Barrington, RI, passed away peacefully at home on May 29th, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Schenectady, NY on September 18, 1932. He was the son of the late Sidney and Huldah (Blossey) Miller. He leaves his beloved wife Joan (Martinez) Miller of 61 years, and his brother Gary Miller and his wife, Marjorie, of Hampstead, N.C. He was the proud father of three daughters; Julie Miller and her husband, Wayne Iurillo, of Indianapolis, IN; Carolyn Viens and her husband, Erik, of Hinsdale, Il; and Tracy Geary and her husband, Kevin, of Lynnfield, MA. He was the cherished grandfather of Taylor, Caroline, Jacqueline, Bobby, Alyssa, Elizabeth and Isabel, and loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Lee attended West Springfield High School and graduated from Suffield Academy in Suffield, CT in 1950. He graduated from Yale University in 1954 and University of Virginia School of Law in 1957. He pursued a career in trust banking, beginning in St. Petersburg, FL followed by the Trust Department of Third National Bank in Springfield, MA. In addition to being a member of the State Bar of Florida, Virginia and Connecticut, he was sworn in as a member of the Supreme Court Bar in 1967. The family moved to RI in 1972 when he joined the Old Stone Bank in Providence, where he became President of the Old Stone Trust Company. Lee cherished the personal relationships he developed with his clients during the many years he was at Old Stone. He completed his career running the Trust Department of Rockland Trust in Rockland, MA before retiring in 1995.
Lee was an active member of the Barrington Congregational Church for over 45 years, working on many committees, including the Endowment Committee and the Board of Deacons. He was a longtime board member of Slater Mill in Pawtucket, RI, and was a member of the Providence Rotary Club. His many civic activities include President of the Springfield Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the University Club of Springfield, a board member of Providence Performing Arts Center and Chairman of the Longmeadow Republican Town Committee. As a longtime supporter of the Barrington Boosters, Lee, along with his friend Ed McKinlay, worked to bring Title IX to Barrington in the early 1970's to provide equal sports opportunities for young women.
Lee was a passionate car enthusiast, an avid reader, and a loyal friend. He loved boating and joined his friends for a two-week sail along the coast of Maine and Canada every September for many years. He never tired of learning and took classes until recently at Life Long Learning in Providence where he could indulge in his love of theater. He and Joan shared a passion for travel and experienced much of the world together. One of their favorite places was Sanibel, FL, where their children and grandchildren visited them for many memorable vacations. After Lee and Joan retired, they spent summers on Sheepscot Lake in Maine, surrounded by family, who meant everything to him.
Calling hours will be Friday June 2, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Smith Mason Funeral Home, 398 Willett Avenue, East Providence, RI. Lee's life will be celebrated on Saturday June 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Barrington Congregational Church on 461 County Road, Barrington. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be made to the Endowment Fund of Barrington Congregational Church. Please visit smithmason.com for online condolences.