Obituary of Joseph Miller, Jr.

Joseph Miller Jr., age 83, of Shelton, beloved husband of the late Mary Carr Miller, passed away on Wednesday August 6, 2014 at Bridgeport Hospital. Born in Bridgeport on August 27, 1930, he was a son of the late Joseph Sr. and Frances Mae Smith Miller. A member of the U.S. National Guard, he was the facilities manager for the State of Connecticut at the Branford Armory before retiring in 1997. Joe was a lifelong Dodger fan and an avid sports enthusiast having played football, basketball, baseball, softball and later, during retirement, found enjoyment playing golf. While attending Central High School and playing on their basketball team for 3 years, he led the Greater Bridgeport area in scoring in 1948. He was proud to have served for 51 years as an IAABO basketball referee and also be recognized as a distinguished member of the Old Timers Athletic Association of Greater Bridgeport, where he received the Outstanding Athlete Award in 2000. While in Florida, Joe also enjoyed several years of playing senior softball with the Vero Beach Codgers. Survivors include his children, Marlene Gannis of Groton, Donna Kriksciun and her husband Robert of Oakdale, Lori Phillips of Groton and Jill Weber of Pittsburgh, PA, his stepchildren, Kathleen DeBlois and her husband Donald of Shelton, Christopher Carr and his wife Hillary of Fairfield and William Carr and his wife Betty of Nassau Bay, TX, his nine grandchildren, Jay, Joshua, Sara, Cara, Kelly, Kelsey, Holly, Heather and Michael, his thirteen step grandchildren, Kim, Krissy, Matt, Beth, Cass, Jon, Peter, Taylor, Glenn, Bill, Jennifer, Ben and Zachary. He is also survived by 18 great grandchildren. In addition to both his wives, Mary Carr Miller and Mary Lou Carr-Miller, he was also predeceased by a son, Joseph T. Miller and a brother, Robert Miller. Relatives and friends may call at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull on Monday, August 11, 2014 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Family Church, Fairfield. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.