Alonza Frank Miller

Alonza Frank Miller was born on July 26, 1960, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The son of Alonzo Frank Miller Sr., and the late Audrey (Ellis) Miller.  Affectionately known as ‘Brother’, ‘Frank’, and ‘Coach Frank’. He attended Roselle Public Schools and graduated from Abraham Clark High School in 1978. Frank continued his education also attending Union County College and later attended both San Jose College in San Jose, California and College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California. Frank received a certificate for Strength and Conditioning as well.  Frank LOVED sports, as a former Roselle Ram which was embedded in him. Frank began playing sports at an early age with Roselle Pop Warner and baseball with St. Joseph and Simpson Field. Frank continued his passion into high school where he played football and made the 1st team All State Group One. Additionally, Frank played basketball throughout high school as well. He then later went on to play basketball for Union County Owls and football at San Jose College and College of the Desert alongside his friend Yusuf Muhammad. Frank was also a member of the E&S Rocket and Roche Softball team. Bowling was another passion of his, as he bowled in several leagues. Frank’s true calling was coaching indeed, where he proudly and enthusiastically served as Head Coach for Roselle Pop Warner Jr Pee Wees for seven years, henceforth, ‘Coach Frank’ became his new name. Frank was more than just a coach to his teams. They were like his sons, if they didn’t have, he made sure they did! Frank proceeded with his coaching career where he later went on to coach Freshman football at Abraham Clark High School under Mr. Smith. Fun fact: Frank was known as a loyal, die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan which created a lot of back and forth on Sunday, Monday or Thursday.  In his professional life, Frank worked at Hoffmann-La Roche in Nutley for 20 years. Frank continued his career in pharmaceuticals at Catalent and Acorn Pharmaceutical in Somerset.  

Frank had a gentle, quiet, laid-back, demeanor, with a BIG HEART who loved his family dearly and would do anything for them, especially his niece and nephew, like sending them to sports camps every summer. Frank’s smile was contagious, his smile along with his dimples made you smile. Frank had a huge sense of humor you really appreciated, his funny side definitely peaked when he and his cousin Glynn were together. He shared many loving, warming memories and laughter with his friends and family. Frank attended church at an early age. As an adult he was baptized at Second Baptist Church in Roselle, NJ. Eventually, Frank later became a member at Morning Star Community Christian Center in Linden, NJ. He served on the Food Pantry and Singles Ministry. Furthermore, Frank devoted some time with New Life Family Worship Center and the Rise Shine Give God Glory Family, as well as Church of God by Faith, Newark, NJ. Frank was predeceased by his mother Audrey (Ellis) Miller. He leaves to cherish his memory, father Frank Miller, Linden, NJ, sister Wanda (Miller) Johnson (Benny), Linden, NJ, nephew Benny Johnson, Roselle, NJ, niece/Goddaughter Tahiyah Johnson, Linden, NJ, Aunt Maxine Howard, Roselle, NJ, Special cousins Robert Blount, Glynn Howard, Craig Blount, Gary Howard, Aunts and a host of cousins and friends. His special longtime friends Jerry Wimbush, Mark Abrams, Gerald Vaughn, Bob Sumner and Ralph Shields.