Obituary: Edwin J. Miller Jr.

November 11, 1954 - March 10, 2023

Edwin J. Miller Jr., courtesy photo

Edwin J. Miller, Jr. born on November 11, 1954, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2023, at Rhode Island Hospital with his significant other of 15 years, Cynthia Corp, by his bedside. Born in Jersey City and growing up in Paramus, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Edwin J. Miller, Sr. and Edith (Thiesmeyer) Miller. Ed was also the brother of the predeceased Susan Miller, and survived by sisters Emily Miller, and Jane Wheeler who is married to Melville Wheeler. Prior to moving to Rhode Island in 2021, Ed lived in Waterbury, Vermont, and was formerly married to Kelley Lee Ashton. They have a son, Edwin A. Miller, also of Waterbury.

Ed was the uncle to niece Kathryn Wheeler who is married to Oleg Kharitonenko, nephew Cody Wheeler and nephew Edward "EJ" Jones. He was also a great uncle to Samantha and Madison Jones.

Ed enjoyed fresh and saltwater fishing especially with his son Eddie, driving his 1999 Jeep Wrangler, cooking, reading, anything involving history, camping, yardsale-ing, raising chickens or watching a good British sitcom, the Three Stooges or Laurel and Hardy. He enjoyed all kinds of food, remarking that he was called a "gastric tourist" because when he went somewhere different, he had to try the cuisine of that area. He had a great sense of humor; he was thoughtful, kind, witty, and loved by all who knew him.

Edwin graduated in 1973 from Paramus High School in New Jersey and then went on to school at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, graduating with top honors as a chef in 1978.

Ed was employed as a chef for Fitz Vogt and Associates at the Dale State Correction facility in Waterbury, Vermont; South Royalton House on the Green/Vermont Law School in South Royalton; Bald Peak Colony Club in Melvin Village, New Hampshire, and retired from The Manor Nursing Home in Morrisville. As a chef, Ed also traveled seasonally to many places in New England and Florida earlier in his career.

Ed was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Waterbury. He was an Adult Leader for the Green Mountain Council Boy Scouts of America, a Scout Master for Troop 701 and a member of the Sons of the American Legion. He was a past living history member of the Vermont Civil War Hemlocks.

Arrangements are through the Gorton-Menard Funeral Home in Coventry, Rhode Island. To leave online condolences, visit gortonmenardfuneralhome.com.