I
just received this from Stu Wilsker.
I learned an hour or so ago that Jake Miller had passed away. All Far Rockaway
High School athletes who were blessed to have played for "Mr. Miller", I know
will be very sorry to hear this news. He cared about every one of his "kids",
and we all knew he was more than just a coach, and wanted to perform our best
for him.
About 4 years ago, my wife and I bought a home in Florida, and have stayed here
for a little over 6 months/year. I had the opportunity to catch up with him, and
had lunch a couple of times each winter with him, and a few other friends and
family. Until the very end, he was remarkably sharp mentally.
In person, he carried a smile on his face, and had such a positive attitude,
despite some real physical challenges he faced in his final years. Even though
it was 45-50 years since I played for him, he remembered the names of my
teammates, and talked about some of our games as if they were played yesterday.
We reminisced about old times, and he had such joy talking about those special
times.
I was thrilled to know that he cherished those memories as much as I, and I
suspect many of you do.
This from Alan Silverstein:
Dr. Bob Goldman spoke to him last week when he got out of the hospital. He
sounded so strong. I am in shock.
Click here for a video tribute done by Robert Goldman
Click here for a video recorded at the Class of 1962 50th reunion in 2012
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