Dr. Frederick Henry Miller, a devoted veteran, faith leader, educator, and tireless advocate for fellow service members, passed away on December 15. He was widely known across the South Shore for a life defined by service, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of staying positive, even in the hardest moments.
Dr. Miller served his country with honor in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War. Following his active-duty service, he continued his military commitment as first sergeant with the 106th Medical Squadron of the New York Air National Guard. In civilian life, he built a distinguished career as a parasitologist at Nassau University Medical Center, where his work reflected the same dedication he brought to every role he undertook.
A longtime resident of the William Floyd community, Dr. Miller served as a trustee on the William Floyd Board of Education from 2005 to 2008, helping guide the district with a steady hand and a service-first mindset. He was also deeply involved in veterans organizations, including the Arthur H. Clune Post 1533 of the American Legion, where he served as chaplain, board member, and third division commander of the Suffolk County American Legion. Through that role, he trained more than 150 Legionnaires in suicide prevention.
For many years, Dr. Miller also reached the public through his weekly column in the South Shore Press, where he wrote candidly about PTSD, faith, and the often-unseen struggles veterans face after returning home.
“He was a very special man,” said Mirriam Gillies, who knew him through his role as Grand Marshal of the East Moriches Veterans Parade. “Fred helped so many veterans and others. He always said, ‘Stay Positive.’ I learned a lot from him.”
Neighbor Rosemary Lauria remembered him as “an honorable man, a gentleman,” noting his deep involvement with Veterans Affairs and his willingness to listen. “He always greeted me as, ‘What can I do for you, young lady,’” she said.
South Shore Press Sales Manager Fred Towle described Dr. Miller as “a pillar of faith and community—someone who lived his beliefs through action and made everyone around him better for it.”
An elder at Christ Lutheran Church of East Moriches and an active member of the Rotary Club of Shirley and the Mastics and the local Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Miller leaves behind a legacy of service, wisdom, and compassion that will not be forgotten.