Peter L. Milliken

About

Yale University

Peter Milliken Obituary

On Friday, July 26, 2019, Peter L. Milliken, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, died at age 83 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Peter was born in North Andover, Massachusetts to Susan and Arthur "Prof" Milliken in 1936. He graduated from Brooks School in 1954, Yale University in 1958, and Columbia University Business School in 1964. During his four years in the Navy he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. Peter married Birch Hincks in 1970, and they had two children, Phoebe and Daniel. He spent much of his career in banking in Hartford and New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he worked hard to finance local businesses in which he believed. In recent years, he and Birch lived at Seabury in Bloomfield. Peter was an athlete who particularly loved swimming, and also enjoyed biking, skiing, ice hockey and fly-fishing. In 1989, his passion for swimming led him to switch careers from banking to open Fast Lane Swim Shop in Newington. In retirement, he found great satisfaction in coaching the Westminster and Simsbury High School Swim Teams. He was an educator at heart, and the pool was the classroom where he taught leadership, perseverance, integrity and teamwork. He was a man of kind words, strong convictions, and an infectious laugh. Peter is predeceased by his older brother Arthur "Nod" Milliken. He is survived by his wife Birch, his children Phoebe and Daniel, his middle brother Charles, his son-in-law Richard Reed, two grandchildren, and a large extended family. A memorial service will be held in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the Atlantic Salmon Foundation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Jul. 31, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Milliken

Sponsored by the family.

6 Entries

Eric Fritz

December 20, 2020

There is so much I would like to say about what a wonderful person Peter Milliken was, but I will try to be concise. I first met Peter in 2002 as a freshman on the Simsbury High School swim team. From day one, every interaction I ever had with Peter inspired me to further myself both as a swimmer and as a person. I particularly remember him proclaiming "hot dog!" after I made a personal best time freshman year (even though it wasn't a particularly fast time). Peter was like this with all of his swimmers; he always found a way to make you feel proud of yourself and to better yourself. Peter held up his swimmers' achievements in the classroom on an equal, if not higher, level than their successes in the pool and we would often start practices by reviewing who had made best times at the last meet in addition to who had made the honor roll in school.

Over my four years of high school and in the years that followed, Peter and I exchanged many long emails covering subjects ranging from swimming technique to handling life's challenges. Every step of the way I found nothing but the highest level of care in the instruction and support I received from Peter. Peter resurrected a swimming program in Simsbury, turning it into one of the top programs in the state and many of the school's prior records were shattered under his leadership. I joyfully recall many of our team's successes, and being a part of his program was perhaps one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. I truly believe that our achievements in life are not our own but are a product of the investments made by others in us, and I will be forever grateful for the investment that Peter made in me. I am also thankful that my wife and oldest daughter had the opportunity to meet Peter. My sincere condolences to Birch, Phoebe, Daniel, and the Milliken family.

Betty Styran

October 29, 2019

Birch, I am so sorry to hear of Peter's passing. It has been a while since I spoke with you and him but he has been on my mind lately. Please accept my sincerest condolences in your loss. Sending prayers your way.

William Hincks

September 29, 2019

We love and miss you Uncle Peter.

August 7, 2019

Birch and family. We send our sincere condolences on your loss. Rosemary and Fred Smith

Peter Hargraves

July 31, 2019

Peter was a class guy in every way I remember when I worked at the Connecticut bank and trust company with him many years ago he ran out of the bank branch which he managed to run down a bank robber probably half a mile down Asylum Avenue.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results