(February 11, 1943 - June 19, 2021)

Hutchinson Island - Jay Thomas Miller, 78, passed away on June 19th, 2021, at his home on Hutchinson Island surrounded by his family and lifelong best friend, Gunnar and his wife, Sue. Jay and his wife, Linda, together had a full and rich life involving family, friends, travel, boating, church and dogs.

Jay was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 11, 1943, to the late Bastian Hendrick (Jake) Miller and Charlotte Antoinette Miller (nee Connors). Jay grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey with his two younger brothers and two younger sisters. He graduated from Fair Lawn High School in 1961.

Jay attended Rutgers University. There he met his friend, Gunnar Askeland, and together they enjoyed sports and fraternity life as Brothers of Delta Upsilon. He was a fierce defenseman on Rutgers' soccer team. He received the Alfred Sasser Soccer Trophy. It is awarded annually to that member who demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership, initiative, team spirit, and loyalty, and who participated as a member of the team for three years. Jay graduated in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in business management.

During his senior year of college, Jay met Linda. Their first date was New Year's Eve 1964 and they married July 17, 1965, in the Fair Lawn Reform Church. They started their life together in Long Branch, New Jersey where Jay began his career in sales with Proctor and Gamble.

Feeling the call of duty, in May of 1966, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. At USMC Officer Candidate School in Quantico, he graduated Second Lieutenant and "Honor Man" having compiled the highest academic, military skills and leadership average in his platoon. He was then assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Prior to deployment, Jay and Linda welcomed the birth of their only child, Kristine Lynn in January of 1967. Jay left to serve in Viet Nam in April of 1968 and spent 12 months in the DMZ and Khe Sanh. Among many other distinguished awards, Captain Miller received the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for "meritorious service while serving as Commanding Office of Company B, Third Tank Battalion, Third Marine Division."

After returning to civilian life, Jay again felt the call to public service. He applied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The motto, "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity," succinctly describes the motivating force behind the FBI and Jay personally. He served in the FBI in Fort Worth, TX and then Fort Pierce, FL from 1970 to 1998 when he retired. After retiring from the FBI together, Jay and Gunnar founded their own business as private investigators from 1998-2005. The stories from their escapades are too many to count.

Over the years, Jay and Linda enjoyed watching their daughter and three granddaughters compete on the soccer field. Jay was happy to share his fabulous knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for the game with all of them. He spent his leisure time serving his Queens Cove community on its board and was always eager to lend a helping hand. For over 30 years, the annual trip to Key West with family and friends was one of his favorites: diving, fishing, lobstering and meeting new folks on Duval Street. Boat trips across the Atlantic Ocean to the Bahamas aboard "Miller's Highlife" hold some of their fondest memories.

Jay was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church, Vero Beach, where his daughter and son-in-law were married in October 1991. Many will remember him by his infectious smile.

Jay is survived by his loving wife of nearly 56 years, Linda Ann Miller (nee Fuss), his daughter, Kristine Lynn Boos (nee Miller), her husband, Scott Frederick Boos, and his three granddaughters whom he adored: Lindsay Kristine Boos, Audrey Helen Boos and Eleanor (Ellie) Ann Boos. He is also survived by his four siblings, David Harold Miller (Lisa), Cathy Ann Miller Maukonen (Larry), Nancy Jolyne Miller Bradshaw (John), and John William Miller (Heather) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and his fourth beloved Golden Retriever, Buoy.

A private beachside memorial service will be held on Sunday morning, July 11, 2021, for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Jay's family asks for donations to be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org/donate, or through the mail at 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

[Published by TC Palm from Jun. 25 to Jun. 27, 2021.]

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tcpalm/name/jay-miller-obituary?pid=199187770