Obituary of Donald Nelson Miller

Donald “Don” Nelson Miller, Webster and Penfield NY

Don passed away on April 6, 2023, at age 90.  Predeceased by his wives, Joan and Lynn; and son, Curtis. Survived by his life partner, Elaine Sadler;  Children: Kenneth, Carole (Richard) Lansberry, Lorraine (Robert) Huddy, Mark (Pamela), and Renée (John) Huth; Grandchildren: Jessica, Justin, Alyssa (Adam), Evan (Elaine), David (Danielle), Ryan and Hannah; Great-grandchildren: Zoey, Avora, Ava and Keira; Step-son: Jason (Brenda) Bell; Step-grandchildren: Nathan and Olivia; Sisters: Marilyn (Jack) Sterling, Janet (Jim) Patterson, and Joyce (Jim Jones) Inderbitzen; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

“Don, Dad, and Grandpa”as he is lovingly remembered by his friends and family, lived in the Rochester NY area all his life. He graduated from the Aquinas Institute in 1950 where he actively participated in many student clubs and activities. He attended Villanova University on a full scholarship, graduating in 1954 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Eastman Kodak hired him immediately after graduation and he stayed there for decades, taking advantage of Kodak’s early retirement option in 1987 after 33 years. While working, he remained active by playing intramural soccer, coaching his children’s summer soccer teams, and running 10K races (sometimes with children in tow) to stay in shape for his winter ski adventures with the Burby Hollow Ski Club and on Brantling Ski Center’s Ski Patrol. Don had a passion for statistics and computer programming and shared this by teaching classes at Monroe Community College for a few years post “retirement”.

Don’s fondness for the outdoors was expressed in his many activities - gardening, wildlife photography, hiking, camping, sailing, alpine skiing, and playing golf. His children still tell tales of his winemaking ventures, learning the chemistry and process by picking and crushing the grapes, earning fresh grape juice as a reward. He was an Indian Guides and Boy Scout leader who oversaw multiple canoe and camping trips with his sons, Mark and Curt. He taught his children how to sail at Pultneyville Mariners Club and took the family on camping trips to Deer Lake in Canada, Cape Cod, Fort Wilderness in Disney World, NC’s Outer Banks, and Maine. His children enjoyed having “time to connect with dad” on the chairlift between ski runs and races. Don and Joan owned property on Conesus Lake for many years and enjoyed entertaining friends and family there. In more recent years, when not tending to his gardens or fishpond, he was most likely found in his office day-trading but also could be found on trail walks in the woods, bowling, entertaining or dining out with family and friends from across the years. He enjoyed sharing plants from his garden and photos of its visitors (furry or feathered), and sharing tales of his travels with Elaine to out-of-town family and friends in CO, CT, DE, FL, NH, NJ, PA, and VA.

We invite those who knew Don through the years to celebrate his life by sharing their memories, photos, and stories on this tribute page. Calling hours will be on Saturday, June 17th from 10am - 12noon followed by a Memorial Service, both at Falvo Funeral Home (1295 Nine Mile Point Rd. Webster NY) and interment at Oakwood Cemetery in Penfield NY.  A private gathering for close family and friends to follow.  In lieu of flowers and to honor his love of the outdoors, please consider a donation to the Friends of Webster Trails at http://webstertrails.org/.