Obituary of Newton Edward Miller

Newton Edward Miller, former mayor of Wayne, age 93, died peacefully Thursday, December 13, 2012 in Venice, Florida. He was born in East Orange, on March 1, 1919, the son of the late Harold and the late Mae (Campbell) Miller and became the first Eagle Scout in New Jersey. Mr. Miller received his primary education in Paterson. He became his BS in Business Management at Rutgers University in 1956 and in 1964, his MBA also in Management. He taught in the Economics Department at Rutgers University night school. During World War II he served in the Army's 3111th Signal Service Battalion in Europe for 19 months where he became a staff Sergeant and earned the Bronze Metal. Upon returning home Newt began employment with New Jersey Bell from which he retired 30 years later. In 1948, he and his family moved to the Packanack Lake section of Wayne. During his time in Wayne, Newt was devoted to public service. He served on the Packanack Lake Country Club Board of Governors and was elected to the first Board of Directors; served 10 years on the Wayne Township Board of Education having been elected four times; was a member of the local Republican Organization; served two years on the Wayne Township Board of Adjustment and served as a NJ State Assemblyman from 1981-1989. In November 1969, Newt ran as an independent and won his first term as Mayor of Wayne where he continued until 1982. Outside of his family, being Mayor was his first love and he was devoted to doing the best he could for Wayne. He often regretted that he was unable to return to Wayne for one last visit. He leaves his son Richard Miller and his wife Cathy of Richmond, VA; his daughter JoAnn Miller and her husband Joseph Stefanski, of Barton, VT; his grandchildren, Scott Edward Stefanski and his wife Elizabeth of Cranston, RI; Jason Alan Stefanski of Hooksett, NH, Kristen Miller of Richmond, VA, Stacey Miller Robertson of Cornelius, NC, and Tyler Garner Miller of Richmond, VA; his 2 great-granddaughters, Willa and Clara Stefanski of Cranston, RI; his two sisters Edna Knapp of Ramsey, NJ and Marlyn Flanders of Wilsonville, OR; several nieces and nephews; and his second wife, Gene Miller of Venice, FL and her children. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Shirley Garner Miller in 1980 and brother, Harold Miller, Jr. All services were held in Florida. Memorial donations in Mr. Miller's name may be made to Northern NJ Council BSA, 25 Ramapo Valley Rd, Oakland, NJ 07436. www.nnjbsa.org