The 1979 Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award

 Edward W. Miller, Sr.

In recognition of "outstanding volunteer leadership" to the Lower Naugatuck Valley 

Edward W. Miller Sr., the 1979 winner of the Charles H Flynn Humanitarian Award passed away on February 23, 2005. The Shelton resident's obituary gave a very brief outline of the many accomplishments of this very special man, and we are re-printing the information here in tribute to his community work and his 1979 Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award.

He was the devoted husband of 55 years to Marie Sherry Miller. Mr. Miller was born in Derby, on September 13, 1925, son of the late Edward L. Miller and Alice Donovan Miller, and was a lifelong Shelton resident.

He was a graduate of Hopkins in 1943, then served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge and a Bronze Star for his service, and he retired from the army as a major.

Upon his return from the war, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Wharton School of Business in 1949. Mr. Miller went on to become the president of Miller Agency Incorporated, which he managed with his brother, William (Who also won the Flynn Award!), for over 40 years before his retirement in 1990.

He also has a distinguished record of service to the community. Mr. Miller was the honorary chairman of Connecticut Hospice, the former president of Griffin Hospital, and a trustee of St. Lawrence Church. He was former chairman of Academy of Our Lady of Mercy-Lauralton Hall in Milford, former chairman of Great Country Bank, former chairman of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, and was former president of the Valley YMCA. Mr. Miller was the former president of the Housatonic Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. He was also awarded the Gold Seal Award from the Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1972.