BRYANT POND – Milton E. Mills, 78, a resident of Pine Point Road, died peacefully at his home Friday, Sept. 23.

He was born March 28, 1927, in Norway, the son of Norman O. Mills and Eva Nye Mills.

He was educated in the grammar schools of Otisfield and Harrison, was a graduate of Lee Academy, Lee, Class of 1947, and attended the University of Maine in 1948. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy, Class of 1953 with a BMS degree in nautical science, a third mate license and an ensign commission in the USNR.

He was a veteran of World War II in 1945 and 1946, serving aboard the USS LST 1006 in the Philippines, Korea, Japan, China, and at the Naval Radio Station in Wahiawa, Hawaii. He received the American Theater ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Victory World War II, and China War Memorial Medals.

He was a third mate on United Fruit Co. ships transporting bananas from various Central and South American countries to U.S. ports in the East, Gulf and West coasts. He learned to fly in New Orleans and held a private pilot’s license.

He married the former Jane C. Smith of Masontown on June 21, 1958, at the West Bethel Union Church.

Active in the community, he served as Woodstock selectman, Planning Board member and school board member for 12 years. He was a member of the Bryant Pond Baptist Church, Jackson-Silver American Legion, Franklin Grange and local Masonic bodies. Until recently, he was president of the Stuarts Corner Cemetery Association and Bell Hill Meeting House Association. He served as a director of Stephens Memorial Hospital and South Paris Savings Bank. He was a coach for the Woodstock Colt baseball team. He was a hunter, an avid fly fisherman and boater, enjoying the waters of the Allagash and Bryant Pond area.

He logged and managed woodland all his life. In 1957, he and his father formed the logging company, Mills Inc. At one time they had a logging camp and operation in Vermont and N.H.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed many visitors to his home on Pine Point Road. Each spring he planted a garden and generously shared the produce with family and friends. As the seasons changed, he guided excursions into the surrounding countryside to check the smelt brooks, pick berries, see the foliage or cut a Christmas tree. He enjoyed cookouts and campfires at home, where with his wife, Jane, they took great pleasure hosting an annual New Year’s Day skating party on Lake Christopher, happily celebrating the holiday with homemade ice cream for all who came.

Survivors include his wife Jane of 47 years; two daughters, Paula J.M. Lamb of South Paris; Rachel E. and her husband, Wendell Scribner, of Harrison; two sons, Nathan H. and his wife, Mimi, of Biddeford; Christopher M. and his wife, Shelley, of Rockport; two brothers, Sterling of Bryant Pond, and O’Neil of West Paris; and his wonderful grandchildren, Kennie, Caleb, Kyle, Catherine and Carolyn Lamb; Benjamin, Hannah, Sarah and Lydia Scribner; Sam and Elizabeth; and Sadie and Finn Mills.

He was predeceased by his father Norman; mother, Eva; and a brother, Mark.