OBITUARY: Roger H. Mills, 88

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Roger H. Mills, age 88, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away at home surrounded by his loving daughters on November 9th, 2022.

Roger was born in Everett, MA, on March 8, 1934; he was the cherished son of the late Leslie and Vera (Holt) Mills. Roger was raised and educated in South Portland, ME and a graduate of South Portland High School with the Class of 1952.  After graduation, Roger enlisted in the United States Navy as a Merchant Marine and then served an additional three years in the United States Army.

Upon return from service, he moved to Wilmington and met his wife Lorraine in the Wilmington United Methodist Church Young Adults Fellowship; the two hit it off and were soon inseparable; they married in the Church on August 29, 1959.  They were both active members of the church their entire lives and sang together in the church choir for over 50 years.  Roger loved the church and became the custodian after retiring as a skilled carpenter from the North Atlantic States Carpenters Union.  Roger was also an active member of Friendship Lodge A.F. & A.M. Freemasons in Wilmington, and served as worshipful master in 1976 and received his 50-year pin in 2020.

Roger and Lorraine celebrated over 61 years of marriage and raised four beautiful daughters. Roger was a true family man and he worked hard to provide for his family; there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them.  He was loved so dearly, and brought so much happiness to the many hearts he touched. He was always kind, caring and understanding.  He will be sadly missed and will always hold a special place in his daughter’s hearts forever.

In his spare time, Roger loved to play golf.  He loved sports, especially football, where his favorite team was the New England Patriots.  He was an armchair quarterback during the whole game.

Roger was the beloved husband of the late Lorraine N. (White) Mills.  He was the loving father of Debi Swain & her husband Jim of Saco, Maine, Susan Mills of Tewksbury, Marilyn Mills of Tewksbury and Catherine Murphy & her husband Sean of Tewksbury.  Roger was the cherished “Grampy” of James D. Swain, Jr. & his wife Sarah, Adam Roger Swain & his wife Amy, Joseph J. Zammuto and Emily J. Zammuto & her husband Zachary Grchan.  Great “Grampy” of James D. Swain III and Ellis Roger Swain.  He was the dear brother of the late Barbara Bowley, Richard Mills and Marlene Dunton.  Roger is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, on Monday, November 14th, from 3-7 p.m.  Family and friends will gather for a funeral service at the Wilmington United Methodist Church, 87 Church St. Wilmington, on Tuesday, November 15th, at 10:00 a.m.  Interment with military honors to follow in Wildwood Cemetery.