Kenneth L. Miller, 71, a former resident of Massapequa, died Friday Nov. 21, 2003 at Florida Memorial Hospital in Ormond Beach, Florida. He was 71 years old and died following a brief illness.

Mr. Miller was born January 22, 1932 in Brooklyn and grew up in Hempstead. He graduated with the Hempstead High School Class of 1950. He and his wife Patricia (Higgins) later moved to Massapequa to raise their family here. They lived here for 32 years until retiring to Florida in 1992. The couple, who were high school sweethearts, marked their 52nd wedding anniversary this month.

Mr. Miller served in the Naval Fleet Air Squadron during the Korean War for which he earned a National Defense Service Medal.

Mr. Miller worked many jobs in his life, including as a construction worker and bus driver. His main job was as a truck driver for Texaco for 25 years for which he earned his nickname, Tex, while helping out at several local garages. He loved working on cars in the family driveway and to do woodworking projects around the house. Mr. Miller grew to be an avid NASCAR fan and was a passional New York Mets fan.

Mr. Miller was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, #1663, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie #3800 and American Legion Post #1400. He was also a communicant at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, Ormond Beach.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Miller is survived by his daughters, Sharon Harris and her husband Michael of Holbrook, Dawn Gund and her husband Robert of Lindenurst, Laura Gorman of Copiague and a son, Matthew and his wife Karen of Selkirk, New York. He also leaves nine grandchildren, Michele Gallo of Henderson, NV, Frank Marzano of Lakewood, Colorado, David and Renee Banks of Lindenhurst, Brandon and Alana Gund of Lindenhurst, Dakota Gorman of Copiague and Nicole and Christopher miller of Selkirk. A great grandchild, Jade Banks of Lindenhurst also survives him.

A memorial was will be celebrated Saturday, November 29 at 9:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C. Church, Wellwood Ave., lindenurst. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 555 West Granada Blvd., Ste. A-1 Ormond Beach, FL 32174 or to the American Diabetes Association Always and Forever Memorial Honor Program, Att: ADA Web, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720.