Obituary for Howard Denton Mills, Jr.
Howard Denton Mills, Jr.
October 3, 1925 – July , 2017
Middletown, NY
Howard Denton Mills, Jr. died on July 8 2017, surrounded by his family. He was 91 years old. Born in Middletown, NY on October 3, 1925, he was the son of the late Mabel Scott Mills and Howard Denton Mills, Sr.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years Patricia Fortune Mills and his children Howard D. Mills, III, Todd H. Mills and Beth Miller; his grandchildren Shannon and Bradley Miller, Howard Jack, Cooper and Kathryn Mills and Luke Mills; his daughters-in-law Erin Mills and Linda Mills; his sister Virginia Dorsman and his sister-in-law Janice Mills. He loved his many nieces and nephews, most especially his “niece-daughter” Michele Staves.
He was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth Mills, bothers John and Roger Mills and by his beloved son-in-law Thomas M. Miller.
Hard work defined Howard’s life from the age of 9 to 91. He worked as a trapper and tanner, a chicken farmer, a lemon picker in California, a packing house foreman, an apple grower, a truck driver, a produce exporter, the proprietor of Nature’s Products general store and a nurseryman. He built hundreds of homes and the roads and infrastructure of the Scotchtown section of the Town of Wallkill. He was a visionary developer of business parks and a realtor, earning his last commission just weeks before his passing. He had many colorful stories of his life experiences which were frequently told. He was a world traveler to the age of 89. He loved fishing and boating and his black Cadillacs. He was blessed with many dear friends throughout his long life, all of whom he cherished. The Family would like to thank his good friend Dr. Raymond Basri for his many years of loving care.
Howard was an Elder of the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church. He was a 50 year member of the Town of Wallkill Republican Committee, a member of the New York State Economic Development Council, a founding member of the Alliance of Business Park Developers, a member of the Middletown Kiwanis Club, a Middletown Elks Lodge member and a past president of the Town of Wallkill Historical Society.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, 367 Blumel Road, Middletown, NY 10941. Burial will follow in the Mills family plot in Scotchtown Presbyterian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, 367 Blumel Road, Middletown, NY 10941.
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October 3, 1925 – July , 2017
Middletown, NY
Howard Denton Mills, Jr. died on July 8 2017, surrounded by his family. He was 91 years old. Born in Middletown, NY on October 3, 1925, he was the son of the late Mabel Scott Mills and Howard Denton Mills, Sr.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years Patricia Fortune Mills and his children Howard D. Mills, III, Todd H. Mills and Beth Miller; his grandchildren Shannon and Bradley Miller, Howard Jack, Cooper and Kathryn Mills and Luke Mills; his daughters-in-law Erin Mills and Linda Mills; his sister Virginia Dorsman and his sister-in-law Janice Mills. He loved his many nieces and nephews, most especially his “niece-daughter” Michele Staves.
He was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth Mills, bothers John and Roger Mills and by his beloved son-in-law Thomas M. Miller.
Hard work defined Howard’s life from the age of 9 to 91. He worked as a trapper and tanner, a chicken farmer, a lemon picker in California, a packing house foreman, an apple grower, a truck driver, a produce exporter, the proprietor of Nature’s Products general store and a nurseryman. He built hundreds of homes and the roads and infrastructure of the Scotchtown section of the Town of Wallkill. He was a visionary developer of business parks and a realtor, earning his last commission just weeks before his passing. He had many colorful stories of his life experiences which were frequently told. He was a world traveler to the age of 89. He loved fishing and boating and his black Cadillacs. He was blessed with many dear friends throughout his long life, all of whom he cherished. The Family would like to thank his good friend Dr. Raymond Basri for his many years of loving care.
Howard was an Elder of the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church. He was a 50 year member of the Town of Wallkill Republican Committee, a member of the New York State Economic Development Council, a founding member of the Alliance of Business Park Developers, a member of the Middletown Kiwanis Club, a Middletown Elks Lodge member and a past president of the Town of Wallkill Historical Society.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, 367 Blumel Road, Middletown, NY 10941. Burial will follow in the Mills family plot in Scotchtown Presbyterian Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, 367 Blumel Road, Middletown, NY 10941.
To plant a tree in memory of Howard Denton Mills, Jr., visit the Tribute Store.
Memorial Contribution
Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties
800 Stony Brook Court
Newburgh, NY 12550
Newburgh, NY 12550
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