WORCESTER___Benjamin J. Miller, 97, of Worcester died Saturday August 12 in his daughters home in Birmingham, AL. His wife, Anna R. (Chiras) Miller died in 1998.
He leaves two daughters, Diane M. Mack of Barrington, IL., and Nancy M. Macrina and her husband David of Birmingham; four grandchildren, Kimberly Tingle, Daniel Macrina, Travis Mack and Tyler Mack and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by two brothers and a sister, Felix, Joseph and Anna Miller. He was born in Worcester, son of Dominic and Mary N. (Barysas) Miller and lived here all his life.
Mr. Miller worked 45 years for U.S. Steel Corp. and was a foreman in the shipping dept. before retiring in 1976. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving as a Corporal with Company "C" 245th Combat Engineers. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, European African Middle Eastern campaign ribbon, Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He supervised construction and repair of buildings, roads and bridges, in addition to considerable demolition work. He determined work procedure and assigned duties to other enlisted men in particular jobs. He supervised unloading and distribution of construction materials. He was familiar with engineering and construction principles and equipment and was able to read blueprints and specifications. Mr. Miller was overseas for 13 months in the European Theatre of Operations. After his discharge he was a member of the active reserve and was separated on Jan. 25, 1949.
He was a member of Our Lady of Vilna Church, Grafton Hill Post 323 American Legion, V.F.W. Post 3657, the Lithuanian War Veterans Organization, Council 116 Knights of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Naturalization Club. He enjoyed ocean, fly and fresh water fishing and was a member of the Worcester Surf Casters Club. He was also a member of the New England Amateur Athletic Association and was a long distance walker and would walk from Worcester to Barre. He ran the Boston Marathon in 1935. He was a renaissance man, an avid reader enjoying the classics, poetry, philosophy, economics and politics.
The funeral will be held on Saturday August 19 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Catherine of Sweden Church, 1 Wiser Ave. Entombment with military honors will be in Notre Dame Cemetery Mausoleum. Calling hours in the funeral home are Friday August 18 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to UAB Center for Palliative Care, CH19 219U, 1530 3rd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-2041.