1924 – 2003

BRUNSWICK – George Henry Millay, 79, of Blanchard Cross Road, Bowdoin, died June 26 at Midcoast Hospital, after an illness. He was born in Bowdoinham at the Millay Homestead, March 23, 1924, a son of Horace and Bertha (Yeaton) Millay. He attended the Millay one-room school, and graduated from Coombs High School in 1940, University of Maine at Orono with degrees in mechanical engineering in 1944, agriculture in 1948, a master’s degree in education in 1967, and from Bowdoin College with a master’s degree in mathematics in 1973. On June 10, 1944, he married Helen Clifford of South Paris. Millay was in the US Navy 1944-46 and served with a rank of lieutenant j.g.

From 1948 to 1965 he ran the Millay Homestead dairy farm, adding Millay’s Dairy to the farm in 1958. As a pioneer in dairy farming, he produced the first 1-1/2 percent milk in the state of Maine and his was the first dairy to sell milk in gallon containers. In 1963 to 1965 he represented the towns of Bowdoinham, Georgetown, West Bath, and Richmond in the Maine State Legislature. In 1965 he started his teaching career in Lisbon Falls. He then worked at Brunswick High School from 1967 to 1981, then at Mt. Ararat from 1982 until his retirement in 1986. He continued to substitute teach in math until his illness.

He was one on the founders of the Pi-cone Math League in 1969 starting with only six schools. That league today has over 120 teams competing. He also helped establish the New England Math League. He coached 27 state title teams. He was a problem-writer for the league in recent years.

Millay was a community leader in Bowdoinham. He served on the school committee. He was instrumental in the building of the original Community School built in 1955. He and a crew cut logs, milled lumber, ran foundation cement, and built the actual structure that still stands today for under $50,000. He helped start the Bowdoinham Barbecue Committee which held fund-raising chicken barbecues on July 4 each year to raise money to offset the cost of the school and other community needs. The barbecue was an annual event more than 40 years. Millay and his family ran the beano tent for more than 25 years at these events. Millay served on the Coombs School Alumnus Committee.

He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He was a duck-hunting guide on Merrymeeting Bay for many years. He hunted deer, moose, caribou, and turkeys. He was an avid skeet shooter and won many trophies. He also raised pheasants, homing pigeons, and trained bird dogs.

He liked building and constructed numerous barns, houses for himself and children, and fieldstone fireplaces. He cut and burned his own firewood from his land until his illness.

He enjoyed gardening and competed annually with his daughter Nancy, a master gardener, to grow the first pea, cucumber, and tomato in his garden. He was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and watched them faithfully on tv.

He is predeceased by his wife Helen (Clifford) Millay. He is survived by three sons, David G. Millay of Bowdoin and wife Ruth, James K. Millay and companion Margaret of Tamarac, Florida, and Thomas J. Millay of Bowdoinham and companion Barbara Moskol; three daughters, Nancy M. Curtis and husband Robert of Bowdoinham, Linda M. Libby and husband Lance of Bowdoin, and Carol McInnis, and husband Ralph of Bowdoinham; 9 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by companion Barbara Hackett.

Millay, when asked three things he would like to be remembered for, said he would like to be remembered for his contribution to math, “raising a good bunch of kids,” and his love and respect for his land.

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