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Robert F. Miller

  Retired Leominster firefighter, WWll Vet; 87

-- LEOMINSTER - Lieutenant Robert F. Miller, 87, of Leominster, passed away on June 22, 2013, in the Health Alliance  Leominster Hospital.
He was born in Leominster on Feb. 15, 1926, a son of the late Louis and Blanche (Davis) Miller, and has lived here all of his life.
Bob proudly served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and was stationed in the Asiatic Pacific Theater participating in the invasion of Okinawa during WWII with the amphibious forces. He was honorably discharged in 1946 having attained the rank of Boatswain's Mate 2nd class.
Upon returning to Leominster, Bob was appointed as a Provisional Call Firefighter on March 15, 1947 and made a Permanent Call Firefighter Feb. 1, 1948. On Jan. 1, 1950, he joined with the permanent ranks and assigned to Engine 3 Group 1. He and firefighter Paul Angelini were recognized for their efforts in rescuing a man with 2nd and 3rd degree burns from his apartment during a fire at 67 Boutlelle Street on March 21, 1952. He served as Vice President of the Leominster Firefighters Relief Association in 1961 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on December 28, 1976. He retired on August 8, 1982. Bob truly loved the fire department and spending time with all the guys.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a life member of the Eastwood Club in Fitchburg and the Eagle's Lodge #477 in Leominster and also a member of the DAV. Bob enjoyed 30 years of retirement which he spent with his wife traveling across the country, visiting with his family and wintering in Florida.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Joan (Brown) Miller of Leominster; four daughters, Debra Phillips and her husband Peter and Pamela Cordio and her husband Dan all of Leominster, Diane Garrett and her husband Ritchie of Columbus, OH and Cindy Gaudet of Royalston; two sons, Glen Miller of Leominster and Jeffrey Miller and his wife Kimberly of Phillipston; 14 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Bob was predeceased by three sisters, Madeline Anderson, Barbara Hebert, and Rita Bouchard; and two brothers, Richard Miller and Louis Miller Jr.
The funeral will be held in Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg on Thursday, June 27, at 9:30 AM. Burial will follow in the MA Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 26, from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial donations be made to the Leominster Fire Fighters Relief Association for Autism Awareness, 19 Church St., Leominster, MA 01453 or to the Blue Star Mother's Mass Chapter 1, 100 West Street Leominster, MA 01453.
Published in Sentinel & Enterprise on June 25, 2013

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