IN MEMORIAM: Everett Miller, 91;
Professor, Researcher In Chemistry
CHERRY VALLEY – Everett James Miller, 91, who spent 30 years as a SUNY Cobleskill chemistry professor after doing research for Colgate, Xerox and other corporations, passed away peacefully at his home in Cherry Valley on May 1, 2016, after a long and courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Everett was born Jan. 27, 1925, in Wilmington, Del., the fourth child of Mary Agnes Durkin of County Mayo, Ireland, and William John Miller of Lancaster County, Pa.
Everett attended St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School and graduated from Wilmington (Del.) High School. He went on to attend the University of Delaware, Drexel Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester. He obtained his bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1952 and master’s in chemical engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in 1957. He studied for his MBA at Sienna and prepared for his PE license at Union college. He was licensed as a professional engineer by New York State in 1964.
Graduating from RPI, he worked in R&D at Colgate Palmolive, The Haloid (Xerox) Company and Behr-Manning Co. For 30 years before his retirement at age 73, he was a professor of chemistry and organic chemistry at SUNY Cobleskill, and yearbook and photography club adviser.
Everett is survived by his wife Susan Marie Murray, who he married on May 26, 1973, and their four children, Liam and wife Shari, Mary Elizabeth, Meredith and husband Jeffrey Morton and Sean; a grandson, Alex, and granddaughter Anika; a brother William and his wife Virginia and many nieces and nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a brother Robert and his wife Julie, two sisters, Vivian Quinn and her husband John and Romaine Quinn and her husband Bill.
Everett was a third degree Knight of Columbus, a member of the Kiwanis Club and Cub Scout cubmaster. He was a former member of the Otsego County Tourism Bureau, Cherry Valley Town Planning Board, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Council, Cherry Valley Fire Department, the Cherry Valley Odd Fellows Lodge, Great American Irish Festival Board of Directors and a former Village of Cherry Valley village justice.
He currently served on the board of Otsego Rural Housing Assistance as vice president and the Cherry Valley Historical Association & Museum board of directors.
Everett loved photography, camping and fishing, traveling, being with friends and family and quiet times.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Cherry Valley Emergency Squad.
Calling hours are 7-9 p. m. Friday, May 6, at the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
A memorial mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Cherry Valley, followed by a celebration of his life at Kateri Hall. There will be no graveside service at this time.
To send online condolences visit www.ottmanfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.
