NEW SCOTLAND — A man who cared deeply about his family and the land they lived on, George C. Miller died on Thursday, May 1, 2014. He was 82.
Mr. Miller was born on Oct. 30, 1932, the son of late Charles V. and Helen (née Ziehm) Miller.

Mr. Miller became the man of the house at the age of 14, after his grandfather died. He then had to run the two family farms, one on the corner of Whitehall and New Scotland Road, and the other on Krumkill Road in New Scotland.

He purchased the first self-propelled John Deere combine in the area, and took on many custom harvesting jobs for various farmers in three counties around Albany to make the payments on it.

Mr. Miller was a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School where he was in the Future Farmers of America program.

He was known as a cash crop farmer raising Hereford cows, growing feed corn, and producing hay. Later in his life, Mr. Miller ran only the Krumkill Road Farm and also worked as a bus driver for the Guilderland Central School District for more than 24 years.

After he retired from full-time farming, Mr. Miller helped out at the Tiashoke (Ziehm) Family Farm in Washington County with its fall harvest.

“He was a hardworking man and farming was his lifelong passion,” his family wrote in a tribute.

He was also a director of the Bethlehem and New Scotland Community Mutual Insurance Company for 36 years, and he was a member off the Noah Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 2480.

Mr. Miller’s knowledge of agriculture, sense of community, and work ethic were spread throughout many of his associations and affiliations. He worked for the Grange League Federation delivering feed and spreading lime, and was the local store chairman for the Altamont Agway. He did farm spot checks for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He was a member of the New York State Farm Bureau and was on the County Office Committee of the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

Mr. Miller was also a member of the North Bethlehem Fire Department, and was one of the original commissioners of Elmwood Park Fire District.

In 1974, Cornell Cooperative Extension gave the Miller Farm that Mr. Miller ran the Half Century Award for support of educational programs in Albany County.

Mr. Miller and his wife Kay (née Kromp) Miller enjoyed vacationing in the Amish farm country in Lancaster, Pa., as well as watching stock car and National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

“In later years, he looked forward to holiday dinners and gatherings at his daughter’s home for quiet times and lively conversation about the NASCAR drivers. He also enjoyed going to the annual summer family clambake at the Tiashoke Farm,” his family wrote.

Mr. Miller “looked forward to having his granddaughter in the morning for sharing breakfast then to put her on the school bus,” his family wrote, “and when she returned in the afternoon for homework, snacks, and card games.”

The family also thanked the town of New Scotland Senior Services for its assistance with getting Mr. Miller to and from his daily dialysis appointments; Dr. Kevin Costello for administering his home care; Dr. Henry Nagel for “his kind and compassionate care” while at Albany Medical Center; the nursing staff at AMC building D floor 4; and the staff at Dialysis Clinic Inc. on Washington Avenue Extension and to Kate at DCI who gave him “constant words of encouragement for over the past 15 months.”

Mr. Miller is survived by his children, Wendy Mahoney, and her husband, John, Douglas Miller, and his wife, Mary; his grandchildren, Adam Miller  and his significant other Samantha Squire, Chase Miller, and Kaitlyn Mahoney; great-grandchildren, Gabriella Miller and Johnathan Miller; cousin Frank Ziehm, and his wife Terry; and many second cousins who own and operate farms in Washington County.

After his wife died, “he became a close friend of Lois Savoie and looked forward to their many phone conversations after his dialysis treatments,” his family wrote in a tribute.

His wife of 61 years, died on May 19, 2011. Their daughter, Ashely Lynn Mahoney, died on July 27, 2000.

Calling hours were on May 5 at the Frendendall Funeral Home in Altamont. Internment and a graveside service were held at noon on May 5 at the Albany Rural Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.frendendallfuneralhome.com

Contributions may be made in Mr. Miller’s memory to the “Yellow Bus” for seniors, Town of New Scotland, 2029 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands.

— Lisa Nicole Viers