James Irving Miller

"James Irving Miller passed away on April 16 at Holyoke Geriatric Authority surrounded by family. He was 83. Born June 6, 1929, in Burlington, Vermont, Jim moved to Massachusetts in 1956. He lived in South Hadley. After 30 years of service as a lineman for Mass Electric, he retired in 1985. At that time he purchased Corsiglia's Package Store in Greenfield, which he owned and operated until 1996 when he sold it and bought Marty's Wine and Spirits in East Longmeadow, which he also ran until retiring in 2005. As a child in Burlington, Vermont, Jim developed a love of speed skating and would skate on Lake Champlain. He also helped out at his mother's camera shop, and then at 17 he became a bartender at the Ethan Allen Club in Burlington. Jim was a graduate of Burlington High and a veteran of the Navy. Before moving to Massachusetts, he was a sales rep for Sears & Roebuck in Virginia. Jim loved to play golf and won the championship at the Petersham Country Club in the 1960s, and was also a member at The Orchards and the Crumpin-Fox Club. He was a fan of auto racing and always followed the Boston Celtics. He enjoyed watching old Westerns, and liked to listen to Beethoven and other classical music. A devoted husband, he leaves his wife of 44 years, Eleanor (Furgal). He is also survived by five children and their spouses: Sally Miller of North Carolina, Mary Ellen Miller of Hudson, Leslie and Tony Fournier of Maine, James and Nicole Miller of Martha's Vineyard and David Miller of South Hadley. He was predeceased by his daughter Kathleen in 1987 and his brother, Kenneth, in 2011. He also leaves seven grandchildren, Eric and Katie Paixao, Richard and Amanda Vincent, Lucas Trombley, Kylie Miller and Zachary Martins. The Miller family would like to thank the staff of the Holyoke Geriatric Authority, the Holyoke Medical Center, and the South Hadley police and fire departments. A private burial will be held at St. Rose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center or the charity of your choice. "