Gerald Allan Mills

On December 21, 2023, Gerald A Mills (87) passed away in Toms River, NJ. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Leslie Croot Mills. He is survived by his devoted fiancé, Barbara Zobel; his sister, Patricia Bruce; his 3 loving children; Geoffrey Mills, Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills, Sally Scibetta: their spouses: Geraldine, Hartmut, and David; 6 grandchildren, Lillian, Steven, Allison, Julia, Gregory & Gabriella, as well as 4 great-grandchildren, Isabella, Jesse, Ezekiel and Aurora. Jerry is also survived by his loving in-law family, Judith & Michael Pasnik, and Nancy Beaudry and many nephews and nieces.

Jerry was born in Elgin, Ill on February 1, 1936 to Ruth Agnes (nee Gill) and Otis Jay Mills. He was a varsity athlete in 4 sports; baseball, football, basketball, and speed skating. It was the latter that Jerry earned many medals and trophies including silver skates.

Jerry attended Northwestern University and then Univ. of Denver, graduating with a BS in Business. It was at Northwestern that he met Leslie Croot. They married in 1958 , resided in Bernardsville, NJ and raised their 3 children there. Jerry worked for a few companies prior to establishing Croot & Mills Realtors with Leslie’s father, Edward Croot. Eventually working for several other real estate firms before retiring in 1999 to a boat with Leslie. They spent 2 years traveling the Intracoastal Waterway from NY to FL before Leslie passed from COPD in January 2002.

Jerry and Leslie raised a family that participated in many outdoor activities and all 3 children attained Scouting's highest ranks. There were many family camping and canoeing trips. Some of Jerry’s favorite memories are as Scout Master to Geoffrey’s Boy Scout Troop and the strenuous trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Jerry enjoyed the last 2 decades with Barbara. Together they did some traveling before moving to No. Fort Myers, FL and then Charlotte, NC.

Continental and intercontinental traveling was a great joy and priority to Jerry. Some of his favorites are visits to Italy, Egypt, Kenya and rafting the Colorado River. He loved regaling a visitor with stories of the places he’d seen and the people he met.

Other associations and previous positions held by Jerry were: President of NJ Board of Realtors, President of Residents’ Associations at The Hills in Bedminster, Moody River Estates, and Waltonwoods Assisted Living facility.

A memorial service will be held at Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church on January 13, 2024 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers we are asking donations be made to:

Boy Scouts of America, Patriots Path Council, 1 Saddle Rd., Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 or Click here for link to online donation BS Donations. https://ppcbsa.org/give/