IN MEMORIAM: John Miller, Jr. ‘68
The Rev. John Meredith Miller Jr., Class of 1968, Episcopal priest, therapist, storyteller and gadget lover, died in Maryland on May 2, 2021, at the age of 78.
There was no half-way in John's world. When he took something on, he was all in. He grated ginger and plunged toilets with gusto. He played the piano and recounted his favorite stories with exuberance. He quit smoking, recovered from a heart attack, rebuilt his leg after a skiing accident, and fought a mighty battle with cancer. Faith and love were John's super powers.
He loved generously and spent his life caring for others. Three times retired, he returned time and time again to the Church to fill needs (and have an excuse to wear his favorite vestments). He met his parishioners, clients and children where they were - guiding and celebrating their spirituality and life transitions. John had a profound respect for the religions and cultures of the world. Nowhere was this clearer than the delight he took in his children's spiritual paths. Likewise, John's children have a passion for music that goes back to listening to his vast LP collection.
Of all the people he touched, his most precious relationship was with his best friend and wife, Adele. They adventured together, exploring many cultures and taking great advantage of clergy exchanges in Canada and Europe. They sustained each other through schooling and evolving careers. Joyfully equal partners, John coached births and cooked dinner long before most men joined the coparenting bandwagon.
John is survived by his wife, Adele; his children, Mark, Michael and Anne; his grandchildren, Noa, Asa, Emily, Steven and Eytan; his brother Charles; and a host of loving in-laws and longtime friends. A small service was held at Collington Chapel, in John and Adele's retirement community. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's Church, Tuckahoe or the Diocese of Vermont, bookends to John's long career. St. John's Church, Tuckahoe 100 Underhill St. Yonkers, NY 10710 The Episcopal Church in Vermont 5 Rock Point Road Burlington, VT 05408