Ellsworth David Miller

  CHEBEAGUE ISLAND - Ellsworth David Miller, 91, of Chebeague Island, died Monday, March 18, 2002 at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a short illness. He was born on Chebeague, June 6, 1910, a son of Ellsworth Haridon and Carrie Blanche Jewett Miller. He attended school on Chebeague and later in South Freeport, where his family lived from 1916-1924. He attended Freeport High School, and graduated from Chebeague Island High School at the top of his class in 1927. He attended Northeastern University in Boston and the Sheepshead Bay Maritime Training Station in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was extremely well read and could converse on just about any topic.

Ellsworth made his living on the sea as a fisherman and merchant mariner. He was hauling lobster traps at 78, and digging clams at 88. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II in the Atlantic, North Atlantic, and Mediterranean campaigns, transporting supplies and soldiers to Europe. He was honored by the Russian ambassador in 1992, and received the Soviet Commemorative Medal for participating in the Murmansk Run, the most dangerous Merchant Marine duty during World War II. Ellsworth Miller was known for his quick wit and his philosophical and optimistic look at the world. He had a photographic memory, and his ability to recall minute details of past events or stories he had heard from the old people of his youth made him a valuable resource to local historians. Whether he was describing a Sunday afternoon in Ed Nicholas blacksmith shop in South Freeport, or a time when he set halibut gear with his father at age four, he was able to create a picture with words which engaged the listener. A sense of place was important to Ellsworth and he thought of both Chebeague and Freeport as home. He was interviewed by various publications and television stations over the years and was featured with his wife, Melba, in the 1999 Island Journal.

He married the former Melba Genese Hamilton June 25, 1949. She died on March 8, 2002. Ellsworth Miller was known for his love of family and his ability to welcome members of various blended families into his heart. He loved children and was known as 'Bumpy' to many. He was predeceased by a son, Daniel Ellsworth Miller; a grandson, Warren E. Doughty, III; a sister, Rachel Ellen Sanderson; a brother Haridon William Miller; and a step-brother, Edgar Blaisdell. He is survived by a son, David W. Miller and his wife, Gail of Chebeague; a daughter, Donna Miller Damon and her husband, Doug of Chebeague; a step-son, Capt. Warren E. Doughty and his wife, Lorraine of So. Portland; a step-daughter, Alice Doughty Lefebvre of Pennacook, N.H.; granddaughter whom he raised, Carla Widlund Joyce and her husband Peter of Cumberland; step-sister, Evelyn Blaisdell Stover of Yarmouth; sister-in-law, Elsie Hamilton of Portland; grandchildren, Jodi Chamberland of New Hampshire, Augustus E. Doughty of Gorham, Crystal Doughty of So. Portland, Lauren and Jonathan Miller and Rachel and Thomas Damon, all of Chebeague, Elsie Dyer of Falmouth, Clifford Kelly of Limington, Joseph Belyea of North Carolina, Robin Belyea of Elliot, Joseph Lefebvre of Arizona, and John Lefebvre of Bow, N.H.; 26 great-grand children; and 11 great-great grandchildren; and many devoted nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours are Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 at Hay and Peabody. A funeral service will be Friday, March 22, at the Chebeague Island Methodist Church at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Chebeague Island Historical Society, Gloria Brown Treasurer, Chebeague Island, Maine 04017.

Ellsworth David Miller, 91, fisherman, honored for WWII duty

 

CHEBEAGUE ISLAND - Ellsworth David Miller of Chebeague Island, a lifelong fisherman and merchant mariner, died Monday at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a short illness. He was 91. "The seashore was his playground," said his daughter, Donna Damon of Chebeague Island. "When he was 4 years old, he set halibut gear for his father and went with him fishing on the boat. He loved the ocean."

Mr. Miller made his living on the sea as a fisherman and merchant mariner. He was hauling lobster traps at 78 and digging clams at 88.

He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II in the Atlantic, North Atlantic and Mediterranean, transporting supplies and soldiers to Europe. He was honored by the Russian ambassador in 1992 and received the Soviet Commemorative Medal for participating in the Murmansk Run, among the most dangerous Merchant Marine duty during World War II.

He attended schools on Chebeague and also in Freeport. He attended Northeastern University in Boston and the Sheepshead Bay Maritime Training Station in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. Miller was known for his quick wit and philosophical look at the world. He was a great storyteller and had the ability to recall minute details of past events or stories he had heard in his youth.

Mr. Miller thought of both Freeport and Chebeague as his home. He was interviewed by various publications and television stations over the years and was featured with his wife, Melba, in the 1999 Island Journal.

He lived a simple life. He enjoyed gardening. He had a large garden of 60 poles of beans and 40 tomato plants. "Gardening was his therapy. It was his way to unwind after a long day lobstering," Damon said.

He married the former Melba Genese Hamilton on June 25, 1949. She died on March 8.

He was known as "Bumpy," a nickname given by his father and used affectionately by his grandchildren. He was a devoted and loving family man.

"He set an incredible example for those around him. He made each child feel important, and always took the time to take his grandchildren for a walk through the woods, or by the seashore. His family was most important in his life," Damon said.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Miller's memory to the Chebeague Island Historical Society, Chebeague Island, Maine 04017.

- Melanie Creamer

 
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