George Edward Milo

Dr. George E. Milo, 84, of Jacksonville, Florida, and North Hero, Vermont, passed away in the early morning hours of December 13, 2016. George was under the care of hospice following a severe stroke suffered in late October. Born in Montpelier, Vermont, in 1932, he was the son of George and Catherine Milo. George is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beverly, and a large and loving family, including sons Gregg (Liz), Michael (Deborah), David (Tracy), and daughter Denise Lewis (Mark). Dr. Milo received both his BS and MS degrees from the University of Vermont, and earned his PhD in human physiology from the University of Buffalo. He was a member of the senior leadership who founded the Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Ohio State University in 1970, and was an integral force in the successful design and development of the “state of the science” basic research laboratory space contained in the James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute constructed during the 1980s. Dr. Milo was the program director of the highly productive carcinogenesis program of the cancer center. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications in the field of carcinogenesis, Dr. Milo was awarded approximately $20 million in peer-reviewed funded grants from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. In 1997, he and his group successfully isolated and patented an important tumor suppressor gene of the cell cycle. Dr. Milo was also an exceptional teacher and mentor, and for more than fifteen years served as the Principle Investigator of an NIH Training Grant for fellows in molecular biology and related fields. More than 100 fellows and graduate students have been supported by his NIH training grant at The Ohio State University and all have gone on to pursue successful careers in academic medicine. Dr. Milo spearheaded development of The Ohio State University Center of Molecular and Environmental Health (CMEH), and in 1994, was named as its founding Director. The CMEH was instrumental in providing support and start up funding for new faculty critical to the subsequent development of The Ohio State University School of Public Health in 1995. Dr. Milo worked selflessly with faculty in Preventive Medicine to bring the new School of Public Health to fruition. He was named Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University, and in 2010 was recognized as an Outstanding Alumni of the University of Vermont. In addition to his career as an academician, Dr. Milo was also active in community affairs, and spearheaded the building of the Northwest Swim Club in Columbus, and the Ridgeview Junior High School sports complex. In his retirement, he enjoyed gardening in a yard filled with flowers and citrus trees, and basked in the warm weather while swimming almost year ‘round in his pool. He was a proud Grandpa to Alicia Bateson (Park), Lindsey Mortimer (Joe), Ayrinne Lattin (Ryan), Luke Lewis, Nick Milo, Caroline Milo, Jason Milo, Afton Milo, Joseph Milo (Caitlin), and Colin Milo. He was a doting great-grandfather to Denver, Sophia, Milo, and Rita. The family will conduct Memorial Masses at their respective parishes to celebrate his life and many contributions. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial gifts to St. Anne’s Shrine, 92 St. Anne’s Road, Isle La Motte, Vermont 05463, or online at saintannesshrine.org.