Wayne Robert Miller

Wayne Robert Miller of Centreville, MD, died peacefully at his home on August 24, 2014, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis, where he lived with his son, Adam, and family. He was 72. Born in Belvidere, NJ, on October 6, 1941, Wayne was the son of Robert Wagner and Grace Lorraine Lenker Miller. He is survived by his children, Christian Todd Miller, Jennifer Lyn Jones, Jessica Erin Pragada, Adam Wayne Miller, and their mother, Sandra Ann George; stepdaughters, Kristin Lewis Danlew, Carrie Lewis Bodin and their mother Joyce Cuppett Miller; brothers, Glenn Miller and Dale Miller; and grandchildren: Kylie Miller, Bobby Pragada, Grace Jones, Luke Miller, Cahlin Pragada, Jacob Miller, Madelyn Miller, Sarah Jones, and Nathan Miller; his daughters- and sons-in-law, Jennifer Osgood Miller, David Lee Jones; Robert Venkat Pragada and Deanna Mann Miller. He developed a wonderful friendship with and would definitely want to recognize “Miss Helen” Wright of Grasonville, MD, who was his daily caregiver over his last years, extending his ability to live independently and make him laugh on a daily basis. Wayne lived the majority of his younger years in New Berlin, PA, and his adult life in Annapolis, MD. As a young man, he was very active outdoors, roaming the woods of New Berlin Mountain, swimming in Penns Creek and playing football and baseball with his brothers and friends. He was a summer camp counselor at Camp Tecumseh on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. He earned his Masters of Education from Mansfield State Teachers College in Mansfield, PA. He started his teaching career in Marion, NY, worked for Playworld Systems in Dry Valley, PA, before moving to Maryland and dedicating his career to the children of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools, where he was a math teacher at Hillsmere Elementary, Assistant Principal of Germantown and Cape St. Claire Elementary schools, and finally retired as principal of Jacobsville Elementary School. “Students and teachers are people, too” was a mantra of Wayne's, and he took great pride in developing students and new teachers alike. As a teacher, he played football daily with the kids during recess, produced the annual school plays, and led the annual overnight trips to retreats like Arlington Echo and West River. He was most proud of his role as the lead administrator in the visionary design and construction of Jacobsville Elementary School in Pasadena, MD, where many of his ideas were incorporated into what was, at the time, Anne Arundel County’s most innovative school design. He was known to everyone as a champion of books and reading, and the creator of Mr. Miller's Math Medals program while bringing fun into the mix with his elaborate holiday costumes. Wayne was, above all, a fan of his children and grandchildren. Throughout his life as a father and grandfather, he found immense pleasure in attending every possible game and performance, and later when he could no longer attend the events, keeping his digital photo library up to date. Wayne was also an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles, Penn State football, and the Maryland Terrapins basketball team. He spent much of his time keeping up-to-date with every game, score, player and coach. He was touched many lives and will be greatly missed. A Gathering of Remembrance will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2014, at Lasting Tributes by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Cremation & Funeral Care, P.A., 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. For online condolences, please visit www.LastingTributesFuneralCare.com. Memorial contributions can be made to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org.

Wayne Robert Miller

October 6, 1941 - August 24, 2014