Henry Forster Miller

henry miller
Henry Forster Miller, 92, of Orange, husband of sixty-six years to Maria Bullitt Miller, passed away early on the morning of October 14, 2008, at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was born in Nonquitt, MA, on the 16th of September, 1916, to the late Rutger and Dorothy Forster Miller. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rutger Bleeker Miller, Jr. Mr. Miller attended Allen Stevenson School and Milton Academy, and graduated from Yale University in 1938. He returned to obtain his Master's in Architecture in 1948. He was a Fellow of Davenport College and a member of Mory's. Henry married Maria Stockton Bullitt of Philadelphia in 1942. As a commissioned officer he obtained the rank of Major in the Army's 28th Division. He vividly recalled being in the first brigade to march through Paris after its liberation. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was decorated for his service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. He served in the Army Reserve after the war. Designed by Henry in fulfillment of his Master's degree, he and Maria constructed a home in Orange, where they have resided for the past sixty years. The house drew considerable attention, including a feature section in the New Haven Register. It has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a prime example of the Modern or International style, and employs passive solar-heating. As a partner in Davis, Cochran & Miller, he designed many schools and public buildings, including the University of New Haven and St. Augustine's Church in North Branford. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects. He went on to work for Yale University as Assistant Director of Facilities Planning, where one of his responsibilities was overseeing the installation of disabled access in University buildings. He served as president of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, was on the board of the New Haven Historical Society, and was a member of the New Haven Preservation Trust and the Kiwanis Club. In recent years Mr. Miller was responsible for the establishment of a war memorial at the High Plains Community Center in Orange, which honors veterans of all wars. He volunteered at the Community Soup Kitchen where he served as the writer of their quarterly newsletter, 'The Ladle'. Throughout his life he spent summer months at Nonquitt, MA, on the shores of Buzzard's Bay, where he enjoyed painting watercolors. In addition to his wife, Henry is survived by his sister Susan Jackson of Brookline and Nonquitt, MA, and his five children: daughter Maria Miller and her husband Kailash Bahadur of Toronto, Canada; son Andrew Miller and his wife Elizabeth of Norman, OK; daughter Dorothy Heard and her husband William of Rockville, MD; son Steven Miller and Jeannine Scheinhorn of La Canada, CA; and son Henry Miller, Jr. of Hamden, CT. Mr. Miller has seven grandchildren: Jay and Jared Bahadur, Evan and Faye Miller, William IV and Emily Heard, and Jessica Hall of Washington, D.C. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, October 21st at 11:00am at Holy Infant Church, 450 Racebrook Road, Orange. BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 WHITNEY AVE., HAMDEN in care of arrangements. Memorial contributions in Henry's name may be sent to the Community Soup Kitchen, 84 Broadway, New Haven, CT 06511.

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  1. Dear Millers: Bob, Megan, Mairin and I are very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Margey

  2. Henry and Maria Miller were my parents’ (Don and Kate Keefe of North Haven)best friends. My memories of Henry go back to my earliest days, New Haven in the 1950’s. He was a gentle, genial presence always, with a rare gift for being positive and accepting of the younger generation of which I was a part along with his children — Tocky, Andy, Dorothy, Stevie and Henry, with whom we Keefe children spent so much time, in Orange, in North Haven, and Nonquitt. I remember his broad smile and wonderful laugh that enlivened many, many family gatherings at holidays, after football games, and many other occasions. A few years ago, he and Maria came to San Francisco and he, with new knees that no doubt were not perfect, uncomplainingly walked those hilly streets and I remember remarking to my wife Liz that this was what courage and hope looked like in old age: still curious, still exploring, still finding occasions to laugh. On behalf of all the Keefes: rest in peace, Henry. And much love to Maria, my Godmother, and all the Miller children and family.

  3. I have fond memories of Henry, both from his trips to Toronto to visit his grandchildren, family and friends, and also from my occaisonal visits to steamy Nonquet in the summer. I shall always remember him with a bow tie; a kindky, thoughtful, gentle man. My condolences to his wife Maria and all the family.

  4. My condolences to the family of Henry Miller. I had the privilege of serving on the Inland Wetlands Commission with Henry and his thoughtfulness, restraint, dignity and intelligence were a great benefit to that agency. I can only hope that we who are the (rapidly aging) next generation of citizens of our town can hope to contribute as much, in such a refined and gentlemanly manner, as did Henry Miller.

  5. Please know Justine and I share in your loss of Henry. We know there will always be a hole in the world where he stood as no one could possibly fill the void left by his leaving this earth. Our deepest sympathy to all of the Millers especially Maria during this saddest of times.

  6. We will always remember Henry for his good-natured ways, beautiful watercolors, and ability to enjoy – and be enjoyed – right up to the end of his long life. We offer our condolences to his wife Maria and the rest of his family. Sincerely, Dave & Jeanne Musto

  7. Your demise is a great loss to me in particular and the society in general, it was a pivilegde to have known you an work with you. Adieu Mr. Miller

  8. Your demise is a great loss to me in particular and the society in general, it was a pivilegde to have known you an work with you. Adieu Mr. Miller


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