Russell Thomas Miller

Russell Thomas Miller

7/20/2024

Russell Thomas Miller was born on May 15, 1933, in Brooklyn NY, to Paul H. Miller and Norma S. Gordon. Russell was the fourth of six siblings, with three brothers and two sisters. He grew up in Ozone Park, Queens, NY and graduated from John Adams High School. Russell had many jobs in his early years; he delivered the Tablet and the Saturday Evening Post. He worked in construction, and then joined the U.S. Army in 1953. He trained at Camp Kilmer in New Jersey, and then was stationed in North Carolina and Kentucky. He was deployed and spent 18 months as a Military Police Officer. After discharge from the army, in 1955 Russell worked for the NY Telephone Company and after that, made his career as a Systems Engineer for IBM. He worked there for 25 years until his retirement.

Russell met his future wife Lillian Caroline Gebhardt at a bachelor party for his friend and future brother-in-law Jerry. In October 1957, Russell and Lillian were wed at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Brooklyn, NY. Two years later, they welcomed a son, Steven Russell Miller, to their family. Shortly thereafter they bought a house in Ozone Park, Queens, NY. Several years later, they were blessed with a daughter, Lynn Ann.

Russell enjoyed spending time with his extended family at picnics, get togethers, family reunions, and boat trips. Russell had many talents and hobbies that he enjoyed throughout his life. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Yankees and Jets games with his son Steven. Russell was a talented craftsman and liked to fix things. He worked hard to remodel his house in Queens, making it into a beautiful home for his family. He also liked to golf, play cards, and most of all enjoyed socializing with his best friend, Bud Light, at the VFW and the Loyal Order of Moose Clubs. Russell had charm and wit and a great sense of humor. He made everyone laugh, often at Mom’s expense, but she took it with grace.

Later in their lives, Russell and Lillian enjoyed traveling with Russell’s sister Ethel and brother-in-law Donald, where they had many adventures, lots of laughs, and fun times. They eventually decided to move to Florida where they built a new home. Russell enjoyed the sunshine, traveling, and entertaining families. He loved solving sudoku puzzles and buying Mom all the latest gadgets.

The biggest blessing of his retirement years was the birth of his only grandchild Emily Barbara. Emily filled the last 24 years of his life with so much joy and many proud milestones.

Russell is survived by his brother Robert Miller (Ethel), son Steven Miller, daughter Lynn (Gregory) Gula, and a granddaughter Emily Gula. He will also be missed by his sisters-in-law, Theresa, Mary and Joan and lastly his brother-in-law and best friend of 75 years Donald Boss Sr. He was loved and adored by his godchildren, many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends who will miss him dearly. Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Lillian C. Miller, his parents, Paul and Norma Miller, brothers, Paul Miller and Neil Miller, and sisters Norma Hackett, and Ethel Boss.

A funeral mass will be held on July 27th 2024, at 12:00 PM at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 1310 Maximilian St. Deltona FL, 32725.

The mass will be live streamed and accessible through this link: https://youtube.com/live/JTeuFIm8-jw?feature=share