Obituary of George S. Miller

George Scott Miller, Jr., a life time area resident, and a Retired Disabled Corrections Officer for the State of NY, died Thursday, July 15, 2010 at Orange Regional Medical Center Horton Campus, Middletown, NY. The son of George S. and Verna L. (Kanoff) Miller, Sr., he was born June 30, 1946 in Middletown, NY. A U.S. Army Veteran, he enlisted directly out of Middletown High School while he was still 17 years old and served for 3 years with 32 months of foreign service in the Field Artillery as a Cannoneer. Mr. Miller was well known in the local veterans organizations, whether it be selling 50-50 Raffle tickets for the American Legion or selling Christmas tress or Poppies for his VFW post. He was a Life-Member of the Orange County Chapter 140 Vietnam Veterans of America, Life-Member of Chapter 212 (DAV) Disabled American Veterans, Trustee and Life Member of Goshen Memorial Post 1708, VFW, a Three time Commander and a Forty year member of Goshen Post 377, American Legion, a member of La Societe 40 Des Hommes it 8 Chevaux, 40 & 8, Life-Member of AMVETS Post 2946, Walden, NY and an associate member of Chapter 59, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, for which his Father saw action in World War II. He was also a Life-Member of the United States Field Artillery Association, Cold War Veterans Association, Life-Member of the 8th Infantry Division Association, and the Orange County Veterans Coalition. Mr. Miller was also a Trustee of the Slate Hill Cemetery Association. In politics, Mr. Miller was a firm supporter of the Republican Party, who always exercised his right to vote, in local elections and on the national level. Although Mr. Miller suffered for many years with a combination of medical disabilities, he always felt that there were other who were worse off than he was, and tried to carry on with his life as the best he could, and found his association with other Veterans most rewarding. After becoming disabled, Mr. Miller could often be found out in his yard, trimming about and trying to keep the deer from eating his tomatoes, or at the Slate Hill Cemetery keeping the graves of veterans maintained. Genealogy became one of his most rewarding hobbies. He was very proud of his German and Dutch ancestors who were among the earliest to settle in America from the middle 1600's to the early 1700's. He was from a military family that had served in the Colonial Wars, American Revolution, War of 1812, The Civil War and World War II, prior to his own service. He never missed a Memorial Day or Veterans Day Service and could usually be found holding the colors of the American Legion or VFW at the different cemeteries. Not being able to march in the Memorial Day Parade, due to his medical problems, he enjoyed to be allowed to drive or ride in one of the cars each year, as was honored with being chosen as Grand Marshall for the Memorial Day Parade in 2007. Mr. Miller was a member of many hereditary organizations being a Life-Member of the Dutch Settlers Society of Albany, The Penn. German Society, a Life-Member of the Descendants of Colonial Clergy, a Life-Member of Americans of Armorial Ancestry The Society of Colonial Wars, Stony Point Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Society of the War of 1812, Sons & Daughters of the Pilgrims, and a Life/Charter member and Past Commander of the Col. Augustus Van Hone Ellis Camp 124, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil war, a member of the Orange and Ulster County Genealogical Societies, and a Life-Member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). He married Nancy E. Messenger, daughter of Burton and Shirley Messenger of Goshen, October 19, 1969, in the Goshen Methodist Church, where he was a member. He is survived by his Wife, Nancy, at home; his Son, Scott B. Miller and his Wife Amie, his Daughter, Laura E. Miller, his Brother, Dean A. Miller and his wife Suzanne, and three Sisters, Nancy A. Yannone and her husband, Jim, Joann E. Heisler and her husband Richard, and Carol A. Yelle and her husband Bill, and his beloved Granddaughters, Hunter Marie Miller and Madison Ashley Miller and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his Father, George S. Miller, Sr., and his Mother, Verna (Kanoff) Miller, and his Sister, Janice C. Miller. Friends may call Tuesday, July 20 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM & 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Donovan Funeral Home, Inc, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 21 at 11:00 am in the Funeral Home. Burial with military honors in the family plot will follow in Phillipsburg Cemetery, Middletown, NY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in George's name to the Goshen Post 377 American Legion, the VFW Post 1708 or the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 212. Arrangements under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., Goshen, NY (845) 294-6422. To leave the family a personal condolence please visit www.donovanfunerals.com