Raymond W. Miner Jr.

He was born in Bellows Falls, Vt. December 14, 1924, son of Raymond W. Miner Sr. & Grace A. L. (Kendall) Miner. In 1932, he moved to Keene with his family, attending Tilden, Keene Middle & High Schools, graduating in the Class of 1942.

During the fall of 1942, he attended the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School until joining the US Army in June 1943 at Ft. Devens, MA. During World War II, he was assigned to 43rd Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion and was stationed across the South Pacific, ending the war on Okinawa. Mr. Miner re-entered UNH in the fall of 1946 pledged Phi Mu Delta and graduated with the Class of 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

During the summer after returning from the war, he was re-introduced by mutual friends to the love of his life, Dorothy Harrison Miner. They married in Marlborough, NH July 21, 1951.

After college, he worked within family businesses until 1960, when he became a science teacher at the Hinsdale (NH) high school. He joined the original staff of Monadnock Regional High School as a guidance councilor in the fall of 1962. During this time, Miner was enrolled in a Masters of Education program at Keene State, graduating in 1964. In May 1965, he was awarded a General Electric Fellowship for Advanced Educational Studies at Boston University.

In 1966, Miner and his family moved to Wilmington Delaware where he joined the Alfred I DuPont School as a guidance counselor. There he spent the rest of his academic career, retiring in 1989. After spending many summers at the family summer home in Swanzey, he and his wife returned to New Hampshire full time in 2001, settling in West Keene.

During his long and active life, he was very involved in many charitable & civic organizations. Of all, his favorite was Lions International, of which he was a 60-year member. He volunteered countless hours to the cause of helping to improve the lives of the sight impaired. Originally in the Keene Lions Club in the 50’s & early 60’s he performed in many of the Lions Club shows of that era. After moving the Delaware, he became more active in club governance, serving as president of his local club on multiple occasions. In 1990, he received the Melvin Jones Lifetime Achievement Award from Lions International. Upon his return to Keene, he rejoined the Keene Lions Club. He was also a long time member and supporter of the Delaware Association of Retarded Citizens. Miner was also a long time member of Masonic organizations and a past member of Lodge of the Temple #88, Keene as well as many other organizations.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Harrison Miner of West Keene, Also surviving are sons Raymond W. (Bill) Miner III of Keene and Philip H. Miner and his wife Kathryn S. Miner of Harrisville. Four Grandchildren: Jonathan C. Miner of Harrisville, Anna E. Miner of Keene, Emily R. Miner of Worcester, MA and Amy B. Miner of Harrisville as well as numerous cousins. His parents and a son, Leonard C. Miner, all died earlier.

At the family’s request there will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held at Saint James Episcopal Church, West St. Keene at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 21st, 2012. The Burial will be private.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers that contributions be made in Mr. Miner’s memory to Monadnock Developmental Services, “Building Fund”, 121 Railroad St., Keene, NH 03431.