He
was strong and fit. And in the eyes of his loved ones and fellow
firefighters he could do no wrong. Everyone knew him growing up
in Rosedale and Rockaway. Eventually, Henry A. Miller, Jr., 52,
one of the Fire Departments bravest, earned the nickname,
"The King." At his funeral Monday, Millers friends
and family spoke through their tears at his funeral at The Church
of St. Claire in Rosedale, a small church overflowing with an
estimated 1,300 mourners.
Hundreds
of firefighters lined up as a light rain fell and a slow procession
of bagpipers moved down Brookville Boulevard toward the church.
His father Henry Miller, Sr. and mother Beaty, wife Diane and
the children followed, clinging to one another. Then came Borough
President Claire Shulman, Assemblywoman Audrey Pfeffer and officials
from City Hall and fire and police officials.
Two
fire trucks with American flags blowing in the breeze were fitting
sentinels for the solemn scene below.
The
funerals of each of the 349 firefighters who died in the disastrous
World Trade Center explosion spoke volumes about the brave men
who safeguard city streets.
At
Mondays funeral, dozens of Millers friends and brave
colleagues spoke well of the fireman from Ladder Company 105.
Friends joked how he attracted every pretty girl in the two communities
with his long blond pony tail. They recalled how he once spent
his time caddying, working in the deli and surfing.
Mike
Eggert, a buddy for 20 years, now a resident of Baldwin, recounted
their exploits as scuba divers and surfers.
"He
was a true waterman," Eggert said. "We spent
countless hours 20 years ago in Long Beach. Henry loved that life."
Another
friend who asked to remain anonymous remembered fondly how Miller
attended Baruch College, a straight A student in accounting.
In
1973, one semester short of a degree, his life took a new turn.
He decided to join the Fire Department. He loved his new career
and his life brightened even further when he met "the absolute
love of my life" his wife, Diane.
Inside
the church, every seat was taken, with firefighters standing in
the back. Msgr. James J. Cooney said that Miller "had a mild
manner and was a stabilizing force at the fire house. He was dedicated
to his job and was truly one of New Yorks greatest."
He
recalled seeing a sign at the WTC site that read: "You ran
in when we ran out."
"Henry
loved life," Msgr. Cooney said. "Longfellows poem,
Psalm of Life," says it all.
Cooney
said that Millers close family was badly stricken by his
sudden death.
In
order to perpetuate Millers devotion to helping those in
need, the church announced a scholarship has been established
in his name. Donations can be made to Henry A. Miller, Jr., Memorial
Fund at 151 Beach 124 St., Rockaway Park, N.Y. 11694.
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