Francis J. Miller's Obituary
Francis J. Miller Jr, went to his heavenly home on September 19, 2016 at the age of 89. He lived a blessed and extraordinary life, passing away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. His faith in God, his devotion to his family, and his love for his church are the pillars of his life.Miller, a gifted athlete, was a 1950 graduate of Syracuse University. He was a four-time Varsity basketball letterman and two-time baseball winner. He enrolled in SU in 1944 but left school to serve in the U.S. Navy in 1946. He returned to Syracuse and graduated with a degree in education.Following a career in sales at Curtis Burns in Rochester, NY, he followed his dream of becoming a coach and Physical Education teacher. He began his teaching career at Greece Athena High School in 1970. He coached the Varsity basketball and softball teams and the Junior Varsity baseball and soccer teams.Francis remained active over the years in his community, both in Fort Myers and Rochester, NY. He worked with Habitat for Humanity, volunteered at the Community Cooperative Soup Kitchen and was a faithful member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. In 2001 he won the NY State Senior Golf Championship for the 70 and over age group. In 2003, due to his lifelong achievements and service to his community, Miller was named a SU Letterman of Distinction.Francis is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jean, his sister, Joan Miller, his daughters Lynne Burrier (Rick) and Kim Phillips (Kurt), his grandchildren Brent McDill and Cindi McDill (Joel Wicks). He is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Ethel Miller, his sister, Patricia, and his grand-daughter in-law, Lisa Johns.A Memorial Service for Francis will be held inside the Chapel at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555, at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 23, 2016. This ceremony will be celebrated by Rev. Jeffrey DeYoe of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Immediately following the service, friends and family will remain gathered at the funeral home chapel for refreshments and fellowship until recessing to adjacent Memorial Gardens Cemetery at 12:00 Noon where Mr. Miller will be laid to rest at the Mausoleum located in the Field of Honor section.In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully suggests supporting Community Cooperative Ministries Soup Kitchen or Habitat for Humanity.To share a story, leave a tribute or offer condolences to the family, please visit Mr. Miller’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.
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