Stephen C. Miller, 78, of Franklin, died Wednesday, November 15, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Cheryl (Welk) Miller who died in 2022.
Born in Norwood on August 5, 1945, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Jean (Mackintosh) Miller.
Steve grew up in Franklin and graduated from Franklin High School in 1963. He attended Westfield State University as well as UMass-Amherst. Steve returned to Franklin for a while before moving to Plano, Texas in 1980 and then to Gloucester Township, New Jersey in 1982. He finally settled back in his hometown in 1995.
One of Steve’s greatest achievements was serving in the US Army as part of the 3rd Armored Division. He was stationed at Kirch-Göns, Germany from 1964-1967. A proud tanker, Steve loved talking about his time in Germany with his family and friends and had countless stories from his military service.
Working in the lumber industry for most of his life, he retired from Boston Cedar and had previously worked at the MacMillan-Bloedel Company and Franklin Lumber. Steve couldn’t stay retired for long and was most recently a school bus driver for the H. Olive Day School in Norfolk as well as the Norfolk County Agricultural School. Steve was well loved by the students he drove to and from school. He also volunteered his time as a docent at the American Heritage Museum.
Following in the footsteps of several family members, including his grandfather, father, and uncle, Steve was a member of the Masons for over 50 years and was past master of the Excelsior Lodge of Franklin and most recently served as treasurer. He was also a member of the United States Army Brotherhood of Tankers, Abrams Company. With his tanker brothers, Steve helped restore Army tanks including ones at Fort Taber and Papineau Square in New Bedford, the VFW in North Easton, and the American Legions in Northboro and Dedham.
Steve was an avid hunter and enjoyed spending time at the family camp in Stoddard, New Hampshire. As a history lover, he also enjoyed visiting historical sites and battlefields up and down the East Coast and was very knowledgeable about the history of Franklin.
Steve was a loving father to his daughters Alyson Miller of Katy, Texas and Kirsten McHugh and her husband Ross of Mashpee. He was the best Opa to his only grandson Donovan McHugh and loved spending time with him.
He is also survived by his sister Janet Robinson and her husband Charles of Foxboro, his brother Douglas Miller and his wife Catherine of Wrentham, numerous nieces and nephews, his former spouse Holly Holmes of Katy, Texas, along with countless friends and extended family members.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his wake and funeral services. Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 27th from 4 -7 p.m. at the Ginley Funeral Home, 131 Main Street, Franklin, MA (ginleyfuneralhomes.com).
Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, November 28th at 11:30 a.m. at the Ginley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Union Street Cemetery in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Steve’s memory to the American Heritage Museum, 568 Main St. Hudson, MA 01749 (americanheritagemuseum.org).