WEBSTER - Felix E. “Soapy” Miller, 82, of Summit Street, died Sunday, April 12, in Webster Manor.
He leaves his wife of almost 57 years, Theresa J. “Terry” (Zdrok) Miller; 3 daughters, Patricia A. Mangen of Vero Beach, FL, Cynthia F. Gardner of Webster, and Elaine M. Yingling of Montgomery, IL; 9 grandchildren, Philip and Michael Jacques, Alex and Jessica Gardner, Peter Johnsrud, Bobbi Lee, Donald and Matthew Gardner, and Tyler Yingling; a sister, Mary Bolte of Dudley; many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by 6 brothers and 2 sisters.
He was born in Webster, a youngest child of Alexander and Stasia (Kozlowski) Miller and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1944.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He belonged to the Polish American Veterans and the Webster-Dudley American Legion Post #184.
Mr. Miller worked as a model frame maker at the American Optical Company in Southbridge for many years before he retired in 1992. He was a member of the American Optical Quarter Century Club.
He was an active member of Saint Joseph Basilica. He sang in the bass section of the church choir and was a member of the Holy Rosary Sodality and the Sacred Heart Society. He belonged to the Pope John Paul II Foundation of New England. He was also a member and past president of the former Holy Name Society. He was an usher at the church and volunteered for many parish events. He took special pride in planting and tending to the flowers around Saint Joseph Rectory. He had the priviledge of meeting Pope John Paul II during a trip to Rome.
In his younger days, he played semi-pro football and was a catcher on the semi-pro baseball for Saint Joseph Athletic Club and Colonial Club teams.
The funeral will be held Wednesday, April 15, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, with a concelebrated Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery. The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council will perform the military honors at the cemetery. Calling hours will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday, April 14, at the funeral home. Donations in his memory may be made to Saint Joseph Basilica or to St. Joseph Basilica Gym Fund, both 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570.