Rev. Joel Miller

Miller, Rev. Joel HOOSICK Joel Bernard Miller, 80, of Hoosick, retired priest in the Episcopal Church, died peacefully April 3, 2008 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, following a brief illness. Reverend Miller, son of Edith and Bernard Miller, was born in Glens Falls, N.Y. on September 17, 1927. He graduated from Bolton Central School in 1946, received a B.A. in English literature at Syracuse University in 1950, did graduate studies in English literature at SUNY Albany, and received his master's of divinity at Yale in 1954. Early in his ministry, Reverend Miller served the Adirondack parishes of Brant Lake, Pottersville, Chestertown, Schroon Lake, and Tahawus. He then served St. Peter's Church in Delaware, Ohio from 1956 to 1961 where he was also chaplain for the students of Ohio Wesleyan University. On December 29, 1956, he married Sjieuwke Anna Fokkema of Hilversum, The Netherlands. Returning to the East to be nearer his home, he became rector of St. Mark's in Hoosick Falls from 1961 until his retirement in 1989. He also served the Church of the Holy Name in Boyntonville and All Saints Episcopal Church in Hoosick during this time period. In the early 1980s, he was a candidate for bishop of the Albany Diocese. During his retirement, he served Episcopal parishes in Latham (St. Matthew's), Water-ford (Grace Church), Troy (Church of the Ascension), Glens Falls (Church of the Messiah), Hudson Falls (Zion Church), Greenwich (St. Paul's), Salem (St. Paul's), Lebanon Springs (Church of Our Saviour), Schenectady (St. Paul's), and Hoosick Falls (St. Mark's), as well as the First United Presbyterian Church in Hoosick Falls, and "supplied" a number of other churches of various denominations in the Vt., N.Y., and Mass. area including his hometown parish of St. Sacrement in Bolton Landing. During his career, he taught various courses at CCV in Bennington such as ethics, public speaking, and creative writing. He also taught biology and religious studies at Hoosac School in Hoosick. He enjoyed spending his time with his family, writing short stories and poetry, painting, gardening and studying the mysteries of the Bible and various religions. His lifelong love of music, art, and literature were an ever-present source of inspiration in his life and in his sermons. He loved nature and its spiritual quality and especially enjoyed his beloved Adirondacks. Above all, he will be remembered by family and friends for his compassion, natural wit and great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Anne of Hoosick; sister, Bernice of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; brother, Daniel of Chili, N.Y., brother, Theodore of Keyport, N.J.; son, John Peter Bernard Miller of Bolton Landing, N.Y.; daughter, Katryn Margretha Miller of Groton, Mass.; son, Paul David Gerrit Miller of Deming, N.M.; and grandson, Gerrit Harlan Boldt of Groton, Mass. He was predeceased by a sister, Virginia and a brother, Robert. There will be no funeral service. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.