Obituaries
Gary S. Miller, 60
September 27, 2019
Gary S. Miller, 60, of Lancaster died Friday, September 27, 2019, with his sister Melanie and life-long friends: Lisa Rutt, Jason Dickerson and Denise Buckwalter by his side. Gary was the son of the late Tommie L. and Joyce Miller of Berwyn, PA.
In 1977, Gary graduated from Conestoga Senior High School in Berwyn, earning a letter as a member of the Rugby team. An extremely talented and gifted performer, he attended Bloomsburg University as a theatre major, and reveled in his memories of fraternity days as a Beta Sigma Delta and countless theatrical productions. He performed in live theatre throughout his life, a very broad range, from Shakespeare to plays about social justice, a topic never far from Gary’s mind as his intolerance for intolerance was a lifelong conversation.
Professionally, Gary wore many hats in addition to the theatre. He managed the Chameleon Night Club for over a decade, played percussion and loved performing with Inca Campers, DC and Company and The Willie Marble Experience. He dedicated 15 years to serving disabled youth as a Job Trainer for the Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13. Gary was an incredible example and inspiration for students he served, as he walked alongside their struggles. Walking was difficult for Gary as a double amputee, but walk he did, never yielding to the pain, always with a smile, offering the gift of his extraordinary spirit to the students and families who adored him.
Gary was a regular at Grateful Dead shows and the Peach Festival. His deep respect for music and musicians and his vast knowledge and appreciation for of all genres, made live music one of the joys of Gary’s life. It wasn’t physically easy to attend these events, but he never missed a chance to go, attending a Dead show as recently as this summer despite his declining health.
Gary was an avid reader, sometimes reading as many as 10 books a month. His vocabulary was second to none. His formidable intellect and effervescence was the gift he gave to anyone fortunate enough to know him. Gary Miller is a vocabulary word in and of itself to his countless friends and family. There is no one like him and mere words cannot describe the magical man we loved and lost. The energy and brightness of spirit he brought to everyone, no matter how his body felt, was so unique and precious, that it can only be described as Gary Miller.
Gary is survived by his brother, Donald Miller of Berwyn; his sister, Melanie Miller of Baltimore, MD, and a niece Danieka King of Philadelphia; his aunts: Barbara Nearon (Charles) Brenda Spells, and Kathleen Marshall; his cousins: Whitney Weldon, Stacey Weldon, Tania Pearson, Judy Turnquest, Quinton Nearon, Sydney Marshall, III, and Gwen Burruss. He is also survived by his Lancaster family: Alex and Lisa Rutt, and their sons, Lance and Lucas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gary’s name to Music for Everyone (www.musicforeveryone.org), so the Lancaster community can benefit from the music Gary loved. A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 2PM at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home and Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Friends and family will be received from 1PM to 2PM. Immediately following the Celebration of Gary’s Life, a reception will be held at Tellus 360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
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Condolences to the Family
September 19, 2020
Dude this isn’t getting any easier. I miss you so much.
Marnie
October 22, 2019
My cousin Gary….the first black kid that “I” knew who was not a olympic swimmer, but, could high dive (so I thought) in a swimming pool (Grand Crossing Park District). Childhood memories live on….and we will miss you forever. Your family in Chicago…..Kathleen
October 11, 2019
May the welcome Gary in to the gates of heaven, so he can rejoice with his parents.
Mychael Brown
October 10, 2019
Melanie, I pray you and your entire family find peace and comfort knowing that Gary left a legacy of love amongst his family and endless stream of friends. My heartfelt prayers extend to your family and all that knew Gary. May he sleep in eternal peace!
Francina Benjamin
October 10, 2019
He will always be in my heart. I can never stop loving Gary, he was my conscience. He held us all to a high standard and we are better for it. Thank you for being my dear dear love. Mel, Donnie I wish you peace of heart and laughter in memories.
Courtney Chesney
October 10, 2019
Dear Melanie and Donnie,
Thanks to Melanie, I’ve known Gary since 1987 spending countless summer barbeques, a Thanksgiving or two, or any other visit to the Millers getting to know him. He was a talented soul and I am so happy to have been in his company.
My family and I extend our deepest condolences to you and family.
Love,
Lisa Lassiter
October 10, 2019
To Gary’s family and friends – I hope that the love and great memories of Gary soon outweigh your grief. Extra hugs to Melanie 💗
Lee Ann Moldovanyi
October 10, 2019
Dude, I am so heartbroken. I know you’re laughing at me and Maude for being torn up. We miss your bright shiny soul. Now you have the best seats to the greatest show ever. Please save us some dance space my beloved brother. miss you, see you soon!!
💔😭💔
Marnie
October 08, 2019
Gary,
I continuously fail to find the words to adequetely describe just how fortunate I feel to have had you as such a close friend to me and my family for more than 30 years. It seems like a long time but I can say that it is far too short a time to spend with someone as truly special as you. You could never seem to get a break from all of the various health challenges that chased you for so long but you possessed so much perserverence and strength that not only did you survive all of the breaks that you didn’t get, you spent years teaching young folks how they could survive and thrive in the face of their own challenges. I will forever cherish your friendship and will spend my lifetime missing you. I love you brother!
Grant
October 07, 2019
Gary
May All your family and friends remember the way you lit up a room that you entered, how everyone wanted to say hello. Sometimes it was as if a celebrity had just walked in, little did they know it was. My friend, you are an amazing person and no one could argue that! Will you be missed, absolutely! Will people talk about you for years to come, absolutely! But right now, we can only say WoW, missing you each day brother!
Tony
October 07, 2019
To Melanie and Donny…
So sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. Remebering what a nice and easy guy Gary was growing up. Always a smile on his face.. Very sweet personality. RIP Gary, no more pain. Keeping his family in Prayer.
Celeste Brown / Frazer, PA
October 06, 2019
Gary, thank you for being the bright shining example of how to live a life. You will never be forgotten and I will miss you terribly. 💔 ❤️🙏🏼
Emily
- Visitation
- Saturday, October 26, 2019
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Saturday, October 26, 2019
- 2:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
