Ralph V. Miller, Jr.
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Ralph V. Miller, Jr., 78, of West Chester, passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He was the husband of the late Marion E. Miller with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Ralph V. Miller, Sr. and Lillian DeBold Miller.
Ralph, affectionately known as Pop to his family, was an area resident for the past 50 years. At the age of 14 he started his lifelong career with the Pennsylvania Railroad, retiring from SEPTA as a gang foreman.
After his early retirement at 51, Ralph turned his hobby of small engine repair into a full time job. He spent the rest of his years buying, fixing and selling tractors and equipment. In 1995, Ralph purchased a beach house in Ocean City, NJ, for his children and grandchildren to enjoy. Spending nearly every weekend there during the summer, Ralph and Marion became involved in the Ocean City Fishing Club. He passed on his love of fishing and passion for mechanics to children and grandchildren, along with his values of family, hard work, and selflessness.
He is survived by his three children, Ralph V. Miller, III and wife Bonnie of Cochranville, David C. Miller and wife Linda of West Chester and Susan E Terrey, and boyfriend B.J. Peterman, of Parkesburg; eight grandchildren; and two sisters, Margaret Bourquin of Brookhaven, PA and Isabelle Kase of Roanoke, VA.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 11:00 am from Maple Grove Mennonite Church, 549 Swan Road, Atglen, PA. Family and friends are also invited to attend the visitation at the church from 9:00am -11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ralph's memory to The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations, 3535 Market St. Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309. To give through the website, click HERE.
If you have a story about Ralph you would like to share with the family you can simply call 484-886-4900. Your story will be recorded and then passed on to the Miller family.
Condolences
We are so very sorry for your
We are so very sorry for your loss of your father and grandfather. Ralph was our friend whom we will miss greatly; our neighborhhod will not ever be the same without him here. May all of your memories of your wonderful times together long sustain you and remain close to your hearts. We will always reflect on ours with a smile. Warm regards, Jerry and CIndy
What a crushing loss of an amazing man.
He was one of a kind and an amazing man. He checked on everyone on Denton Holllow (and maybe beyond) to make sure we were all okay. I keep expecting him to drive up on his golf cart to visit. I have only known him for three years and miss him awfully. My sympathy to his friends and family-- what a crushing loss it must be for you. If there is anything I can do, please do ask.
Steven and i want to said how
Steven and i want to said how sad we are to hear the passing of your Dad. He was a great man and my husband and I will miss him very much.
Ralph
Ralph was a rock and a cornerstone of our community. He was a great freind and will be sorely missed. His sense of humor, candor and kindness will be impossible for all who knew him to replace. He is now with Marion whom he missed so much this past year.
Gonna miss ya Ralph !
To all my Miller friends, Ocean City will never be the same without Ralph E, I am so sorry for all of you guy's, He was a Classic and i will never forget him, I am truely blessed to have had the opportunity To call Ralph Miller a friend and a great neighbor. I will continue keeping the Miller clan in my thoughts and prayers, with much love and respect.
Spanky
A One-Of-A-Kind Neighbor and Friend
I do not even know where to begin other than to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of the Miller family. Ralph saved my tractor many times after I would run over a tree stump or do something stupid like flip over my leave-vac and have the engine catch fire and burn. Ralph got a chuckle at that one. My wife and I were always so grateful to have a neighbor like Ralph and to know such a "character" and someone so generous and authentic. After I loss my wife, Mary, Ralph would check-in on me and was so sincere in asking how I was doing. I am glad to have had the chance to sit down with him on the porch at times and talk for a while. We will all miss Ralph greatly and pray there is some comfort in knowing he is with Marion and what a reunion that must have been.
The kind of guy that drops what he's doing for you!
Ralph and my dad were childhood friends. If my dad could be there for the service i know he would. He has so many funny stories of things they did as kids.
We grew up visiting the Millers and had the best time wondering their property feeding horses, getting rides on tractors and swimming. We were treated like family. A couple of years ago I took my dad over to see Ralph and Marion and they were so happy to see my dad. It was a great visit and of course he took my daughter to see Susan's turkey and other assorted animals. He was always a great host and you could tell he took great pride in his family and their accomplishments.
You will be missed. And your family is in our prayers.
Love Wendy (Pratt) Dunmire
To the Miller family
We are very sad to hear of the passing of Ralph.
We met him when he sold us his 1956 ford sunliner.
We immediately bonded and became friends.
We often visited him in Ocean City each summer and enjoyed our lively conversation with him especially about his PRR work experience. He had a great personality and will be missed as well as his dear wife Marian.We are very sorry that we will be unable to attend the service as we have a doctor appointment which cannot be changed.We will keep Ralph and your family in our thoughts and prayers .
Richard and Barbara Cogshall
We'll miss you our friend!
There is so much I could say about this man. He was best friends with my husband from the time he was 8 yrs old. He was an atttenfant in our wedding. Our family knew him as Bubs. My kids always had the best time when we took them to the Miller's. Ralph was a kind, gentle, and generous man! Although he didn't admit it. We have so many fun memories of times at Ocean City. I never wanted to fish but when Ralph tells you you're doing something you do it. At least I did. You're good buddy Taylor loved you Ralph and so did I.
Sad and heartbroken
For many grieving the last few days Ralph was a friend or neighbor. To us, Ralph was one of the best uncles you could want. We are so sad and will miss him so much. Beyond that big tough exterior was a sensitive and very funny gentleman. I will forever love coffee ice cream because of Ralph.
Sincere sympathy from our
Sincere sympathy from our family to yours. When we acquired a summer home on West Avenue in Ocean City, NJ 12 years ago we immediately found out what special neighbors we had on the whole block! Ralph invited us to sit and talk on the front porch and we learned a lot about his family and Ocean City. We were so sad to hear of Marion's passing and the last time I was with Ralph I was able to hug him and just listen. Ralph and Marion were great OC neighbors and we will miss them!!