Robert Miller, hockey coach, father of former Bruin; at 80
Robert Vincent “Bob’’ Miller, a hockey enthusiast and devoted churchgoer, died Thursday at Lahey Clinic in Burlington. He was 80.
Mr. Miller, who was born in Medford, lived in Billerica and Medford before spending his last 15 years in Chelmsford. He graduated from Malden Catholic High School in 1947 and attended Boston College.
He worked in sales for the paper industry, but family members say his true love was hockey.
That passion sparked during his days as a member of the Malden Catholic hockey team. Mr. Miller helped found the Billerica Hockey Association, helped build an outdoor hockey rink near Lampson Field in 1960, and served as the first head coach for the Billerica High hockey team.
He owned and operated Varsity Sports in Billerica and established several youth hockey leagues.
His sons, Bob and Paul, played hockey professionally. Paul played five seasons of minor league pro hockey and three games in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Rockies. Bob, who starred at the University of New Hampshire, represented the United States at the 1976 Olympics and played 404 games in the NHL, 263 with the Bruins from 1977-1981.
In addition to his sons, Mr. Miller leaves his partner, Shirley St. Amand; daughters Maureen of Boston and Maryellen of Middleton; a sister, Helen Reardon of Stoneham; and nine grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be said today at 9 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish in North Chelmsford.