Gerald "Jerry" William Miller

“Why?”, he wondered.

“It’s after seven o’clock, and we haven’t opened any wine.”

Gerald William Miller had died two hours earlier, on July 23, 2024. He was at home, with the woman he adored holding his hand.

But he’d be mortified were his death to disrupt “happy hour”. Of course, with Jerry around, that moniker described any time of day. He wouldn’t hear of us being morose merely because he couldn’t make it.

Jerry Miller was born Nov 16. 1931 in Buffalo, NY to Howard and Elizabeth Miller. His older brother Bob was his lifelong best friend. He attended Buffalo Technical High School where he played football, and held the city of Buffalo record for shot put – previously unchallenged for decades- for 20 minutes until a teammate broke it during the same meet by mere inches. The real love of his athletic life , though, was on the oar and as a member of the West Side Rowing club heavy eight crew, won numerous state and national titles and missed winning the Olympic Trials in 1952 by one second, a memory that galled him for the rest of his days.

His collegiate career began at Harvard where he played football, before transferring to Muskingham College in Ohio, to complete his undergraduate degree. Graduation from law school at the University of Buffalo put him on his career path as a corporate labor lawyer which he practiced until 1980. His hard work carried him to success in business, becoming Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Booth Newspapers. After he retired from Booth, he moved to Florida. There he met the love of his life.

He married his wife Margaret in 1983, and the second chapter of his life began. A blended family meant his own children, Christie, Karen, and Kevin were now joined by JD and Brett Breen, Margaret’s sons, and he cherished them all equally.

He loved life, and life loved him. Whenever he met someone he’d learn more about the person in 30 minutes than someone else could in 30 weeks. He cared about people and was keenly interested in their lives, how they became who they were, their experiences. Friends said he made them feel like the only person in a crowded room.

His enthusiasm for travel never waned and his curiosity about what is around the next corner was keen. He and Margaret visited every continent, traversed the world several times, rode camels in Egypt and elephants in India, took safaris in Africa and cooking classes in Lyon, walked on the Great Wall of China and the footpaths of the highlands in Scotland, marveled at the treasures of the Vatican and the loveliness of Japanese gardens. The trips with wonderful friends – and there were many - were among the very best. It never got old.

Among Jerry’s abundance of fine qualities was a sense of humor. He laughed easily and often, especially at himself.

His death will leave an empty place in the hearts of his family and friends . He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Margaret Franklin, his sons, Kevin Miller (Connie Doherty), John Breen (Rita), Brett Breen, (Jennifer) daughters Christie Victor (Frank) and Karen Ankerstar (Dana), beloved sister-in-law Shari Miller, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

There will be no funeral service. At Jerry’s request, a party will be scheduled so attendees can honor his memory by having some fun. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Jerry’s name to the West Side Rowing Club ( Https://www.wsrc.org/donate) would be a fitting tribute.