Howard Chester Miller

Howard C. Miller, Jr., a resident of Fishkill since 1976, formerly of Pitman, NJ and St. James, NY, passed away suddenly on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. He was 84.
Son of the late Howard and Hazel (Anderson) Miller, he was born in Brooklyn on May 4, 1941 and was raised in Levittown, NY. In 1959, he graduated from Levittown Memorial High School where he was immensely popular and captain of the football team, earning 7 varsity letters (football, wrestling, track). Howard earned his undergraduate degree from The King's College in Briarcliff Manor NY and a Master's degree from Glassboro State College (Rowan University) in NJ.
He was a man of God, raised on Christian principles which guided his career choices. He started his career at the Philadelphia College of Bible as the Director of Athletics. Eventually he was drawn back to his alma mater and became the Athletic Director for The King's College. While his tenure at The King's College his soccer team won the 1985 NCCAA National Championship and he earned multiple NCCAA Coach of the Year awards. He also founded and successfully ran the Westchester Soccer School in Briarcliff Manor for numerous years. However, if you asked him, he was more proud to have been able to mentor his players by sharing Christ with them both on and off the field. He later accepted a position with the Hyde Park Central School District as Superintendent of Health and Physical Education where he was able to continue his passion to coach. His success continued by winning Coach of the Year while coaching the F.D.R. High School Girls Varsity soccer team. Howard will be remembered as a loving husband, father, teacher, coach, and mentor.
He was an active member of The Gathering at Faith Assembly Church in Poughkeepsie where he served on the school board for the Faith Christian Academy. Where, in his retirement, he continued to mentor and coach students for Christ and assisted with the schools fundraising programs.
On July 10, 1965, he married the love of his life Joyce Baumner in Elkton, MD. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. His loving wife Joyce survives at home in Fishkill.
In addition to his wife, other survivors include his daughter, Christine Guzzo of Fishkill; his daughter, Kimberly Malone & her husband Aaron of Poughkeepsie; his son, Mark H. Miller & his wife Nicole (Castellazzi) of Fishkill; his son, Don Miller & his wife Dr. Normaris Gonzalez-Miller of Fishkill; his grandchildren: Charlotte Guzzo, Isabelle Malone, Lily Malone, Sophie Malone, Michael Miller & his wife Liz, Timothy Miller, and Ryan Miller; his great-grandson, Bryce; his brother, Stephen Miller & his wife Joan; his brother-in-law, William Baumner, III & his wife Eleanor; as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless other loving family members and dear friends.
Howard was predeceased by his parents as well as his brother, Bruce Miller; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Frank Walker.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 11am on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at The Gathering at Faith Assembly, 25 Golf Club Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY.
A private burial was held at Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 Route 9, Fishkill, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Faith Christian Academy, 25 Golf Club Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or by visiting www.faithchristianacademy.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. For online tributes, visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.