Valentine Miller

1926 - 2021

Valentine ( Charlie ) Miller was born Nov 1, 1926 in Rotterdam, NY, to Eva (Miller) Siatkowski & George Miller. He passed away peacefully on January 14th, 2021 in Saratoga Springs, NY due to COVID-19 related complications, at the age of 94. Charlie came from a large family of 8 children. Charlie was a very hard worker at an early age, delivering both animal feed and coal thru his HS years, earning the nickname of "Chuck the Coal Man". He graduated from Draper HS in 1945. Known for his mechanical engineering abilities and his mathematical mind, he was trained as a B-29 & C-47 airplane mechanic when he joined the U.S. Army Air Force in 1945. He was deployed to China, where he maintained the U.S. Army military planes that were delivering supplies to support Chiang Kai-Shek's Army. He was awarded a WWII Victory Medal. Upon his return, he served in the NY National Guard, and obtained his Master Aviation Certification at California Aero Technical Institute in Glendale, CA. He became a certified GE J-79 and T-58 jet engine mechanic at GE Schenectady Flight Test Operations. In 1963, he became a Quality Engineer for the GE Turbine Division. His nickname at GE was, "Everybody's Pal Val". The highlight of his career was twice volunteering to travel to Japan to supervise turbine spin balance tests. Charlie retired from GE in 1987. Given his love of flight, he continued to volunteer at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum well into his 80's. Charlie was happily married to the love of his life, the late Josephine ( Pheny) Miller for 54 years, until her passing in December 2004. They married in 1950 and had a beautiful & bountiful life together. They especially loved the tight-knit community at Penn Heights Beach Club on Sacandaga Lake, hosting many a martini cocktail party. His daily multiple-mile walks along North Shore road were instrumental to his long life. Charlie will be forever missed by his younger brother, William (Bill) Siatkowski, daughter, Jodie Lynn DeMuth ( Dennis) of Friday Harbor, WA, sons Michael Charles Miller (Donna) of Hadley, NY, and John Joseph Miller (Lori), of Northborough, MA, and his six grandchildren, Ryan Miller of Ballston Spa, NY, James DeMuth (Leah Reid) of Woburn, MA, Drew Miller, of Amsterdam, NY, Tara Miller of Austin, TX, Dan Miller of Monroe, NY, and Christian Miller of Austin, TX, and many nieces and nephews. Charlie is predeceased by his parents, and his four sisters, Eleanor Pudvah, Valentina LaMalfa, Dorothy Viscusi, and Mary DiNola, and two brothers, George Miller and Robert Siatkowski. Charlie was a wonderful influence and example for his children and grandchildren, combining his love of gardening, (particularly his cubanelle Italian frying peppers), dedication to helping others in need by religiously visited house-bound friends and relatives, and his passing on of his deep mechanical engineering abilities, and his never-ending scientific curiosity. The family wishes to expressly thank the many people who have provided kind and compassionate care to Charlie at the Home of the Good Shepard in Saratoga Springs, NY, and his lovely care givers that provided around the clock care when he lived at The Meadows at Glenwyck, as well as the supportive companionship provided by his many friends and relatives, and particularly his dear friends Ann Cimino and Mary Suits. Memorial Services and a gathering to celebrate Charlie's life will take place at a later date when family and friends can safely gather. He will be laid to rest with his wife Josephine at Sts. Cyril & Method Cemetery in Rotterdam, NY. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 Manning Blvd., Albany, NY, 12208 518-724-0200 www.communityhospice.org. or The Empire State Aerosciences Museum 250 Rudy Chase Drive Glenville, NY 12302 518-377-2191 www.esam.org To share a memory or condolences, please visit: www.demarcostonefuneralhome.com/obituary/Valentine-Miller