Edward W. Millette Jr.

Just after his 84th birthday, on September 5, 2012 Edward W. Millette, Jr. of Eastham courageously surrendered to complications that developed after completing treatment for lung cancer. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him: his wife, Dorothy, their four children; Marianne, Ted, Beth, and Margaret, their welcomed spouses; David (d), Sanne, Jim, and Glenn, and many nieces and nephews. He doted on his grandchildren Ellie, Jack, Kate, Emma, Abby, Will and Joe.

Although he was a man of relatively few words, he was a gifted story teller, and his tales are cherished by those who were privileged to hear them.

After serving as a scout in the regular army during WWII, he gratefully attended St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT on the GI Bill. He graduated with a degree in history and many who knew him delighted in hearing of his course scheduling prowess which allowed for countless hiking, skiing, tobogganing and fishing excursions. He especially enjoyed telling of the alleged blind date that brought him to his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Leary. He married his one true love in 1954, settled in Feeding Hills, MA and they began raising their family.

He had a strong work ethic as illustrated by both his recent battle against cancer and his professional career. He began working at the age of 13 in 1941 as a stock boy for New England Plumbing Supply Company in Springfield, MA. He was promoted through a series of positions there, and eventually purchased the company with two esteemed business partners in 1958.

He was an adventurer and loved to explore. In 1970, he discovered their Hemenway Road house during one of his expeditions while the rest of the family was at the beach. He was a very private man who did not care for the beach due to his sense of modesty and tendency to burn. On his rare beaching occasions his children treasure memories of riding him like a dolphin and jumping off his shoulders.

The family moved to Eastham in 1976 but he continued operating the company in Springfield. Although he loved to drive anything with a steering wheel, he tired of the weekly commute and closed down the business in 1980. After working for another distributor in the industry he retired in 1992 and took an interest in many activities previously not experienced. He preferred that his wife represent them socially but when he did make it out, he was the life of the party. He thoroughly enjoyed retirement and often wondered how he had ever fit a full time job into his life. Always an avid reader, he adapted to books on tape and a large font Kindle as he gracefully accepted his diminishing eyesight, and the other changes that came with age. He often told his family that if they could read they could do anything.

Ed valued such virtues as integrity, self reliance, and personal accountability. He also spoke of the importance of a college degree and was immensely proud that his wife and children had obtained higher degrees. He was thrilled to witness his oldest two grandchildren embark on their college journeys several weeks ago, sending them off with his trademark phrase “See you ‘round campus.”

He was a man of great faith, thanking God often for his many good fortunes. He demonstrated his commitment to the Roman Catholic Church throughout his life, from his days as an altar server in Springfield to his support of Our Lady of Lourdes in Wellfleet and Saint Joan of Arc in Orleans. He believed strongly that charity begins at home and treasured his wife and family above all else. A highly introspective man, he knew his own opinions and arrived at his own decisions while allowing others to do the same. He believed in the principles of the country he loved and was immensely disappointed to miss voting in the 2012 presidential election. He enjoyed a fine cigar, a cup of strong black coffee, a good book and the presence of his family. A man of strong convictions and even stronger faith, he said that while others may have thought he lived an ordinary life, he felt it was extraordinary.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church, Rt 6, Wellfleet, MA. A gathering will follow after the service.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod, 255 Independence Drive, Hyannis, MA 02601.