Philip Miller- A Celebration of his Life

The Miller Family

June 8, 2021

As we observe the passing of Philip Miller, just shy of his 89th birthday, on Tuesday June 8, 2021, in Monument, CO we would like to look back and celebrate his incredible life.  

Philip was born on September 14, 1932, in Harrisburg, PA, as the cherished son of the late Arthur and Dorothy Miller. As a child he enjoyed drawing and painting, as well as spending time with his baby sister, Lillian, and many cousins.  Philip attended high school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he enjoyed running track and field. After graduating in 1950, he met and began dating a pretty young woman named, Elizabeth Conestrina. After high school, Philip attended the Philadelphia College of Art in Philadelphia, PA where he dreamed of becoming a famous artist or advertising executive. He received his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Advertising Design in 1954.

After returning to Harrisburg, Philip enlisted in the Army where he spent time in Washington DC with the Listening Post guarding the White House. During his service, he was stationed in Germany, where he spent his time enjoying the local flavors. Upon his return to Harrisburg, he took advantage of the GI Education Bill and attended Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with Bachelor of Science in Printing Management in 1958. From there he began a long and exciting career with the DuPont Company that took him to all corners of the world.

Philip and Elizabeth married in 1959 and shortly after, the first of their three children, Edwards was born in Kansas City, MO.  Lillian entered the world a year later as the young family was preparing to relocate to Rochester, NY. Six years later their second daughter, Elizabeth joined the family. In 1968, Philip and family became Delaware residents. 

When Philip was not traveling internationally for DuPont, he was actively involved in his children’s activities, including Boy Scouts, marching band, swim meets and cross-country riding. As Philip’s career wound down and the children grew up and left the nest, Philip and Elizabeth enjoyed traveling. Their favorite place to go however, was Walt Disney World. Every year they went to Walt Disney World to experience the magic, a joy that he later shared with his six grandchildren. 

In 1993 Philip and Elizabeth embarked on another fantastic journey – retirement! Their destination: Monument, Colorado. They shared their love of the fresh, mountain air and wide-open spaces with their grandchildren, taking them on adventures every summer.

Philip Miller had a quiet dignity and a heart of gold. He will be missed by his three children, Edwards Miller (Monument, CO), Lillian Rairigh (Middletown, DE) and Elizabeth Buiano (Monument, CO). Philip’s memory will live on through his six grandchildren whom he loved above all else – Keith Dolan, James Dolan, Christine Travers, Thomas Rivers, Geoffrey Rairigh and Mary Rairigh. He also had three greatgrandchildren – Oliver Travers, Hunter Dolan and Lucy Dolan. 

Philip will be missed by all that knew and loved him. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Philip’s memory to: 

The Alzheimer’s Association