NORWAY — It is with a great sadness that the Mills Family announces the passing of our family’s patriarch, Roger Henry Mills Jr., 87, of Andover on Friday, May 4, at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway. Roger was born in Portland on May 8, 1930, to Roger H. Mills, Sr., and Harriett Louise (Akers) Mills. He graduated from Andover High School in 1949.
Dad was an active member of many social and civic organizations: K. of P. Lodge, the Andover Hook and Ladder Co., Andover Fire Department for 47 years, most of them as chief; the Mollyockett Mixers Square Dancers; drummer with the “Snowvalley Boys” (where he self-taught himself); president of the local Republican Party; head of the Andover Bicentennial Committee; Andover School Board and Andover Water District; and a lifelong member of “The Liars Bench.”
One of Dad’s biggest joys was working in the mercantile business, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, I. E. Mills, and his father, Roger Mills Sr. In 1966, Dad opened up Mills Market, which went on to become Oxford County’s oldest family-run store. Prior to this, Dad always worked two to three jobs at a time to support his large family: school bus driver, freight driver for Sanborn Express, meat cutter, F. H. Newton and security at Comsat.
In his younger years, Dad enjoyed taking his kids to the family camp at Roxbury, where we spent summers picnicking, swimming and fishing together. He also enjoyed berrying with Mom and the younger kids and the Annual Mills Family Breakfast at Flat Rocks. Despite putting in long days at his business, he did his best to attend his kids many sporting events.
Dad was a lover of people and socializing. No matter where he went, he knew somebody and never hesitated to stop and chat. Dad was always proud to bring up that he had 11 children.
On Dec. 4, 1946, he married Dorothy Jean Learned and together they shared 67 years of marriage. She predeceased him May 4, 2013. Dad was also predeceased by his loving lab, “Annie.”
Dad is survived by his 11 children: Karen (Bob) Vachon of Brookfield, N.H.; Margaret (Joe) Madigan of Andover; Roger (Lucille) Mills III of Windsor; Philip (Paula) Mills of Rumford; Michael (Peggy) Mills of Roxbury; Richard (Carolyn) Mills of Andover; Leslie (Charlie) Jamison of Mexico; Christopher (Sheila) Mills of South Portland; Brian (Susan) Mills of Andover; Melinda (Doug) Averill of Andover; and Patricia Cox and her companion, Joey Martin, of Dixfield; 40 grandchildren; many great- and great-great-grandchildren; his loving sister and brother-in-law Sally and Keith Wilson of Salem, N.H.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Phil and Mary Learned of Andover; sister-in-law, Donna Learned, of Tacoma, WA; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to sign the family guest book and share their thoughts, condolences and fond memories online at www.meaderandson.com.
Roger H. Mills Jr.
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