He wasnt an ideologue but shepherded through countless bills that impacted every aspect of life in Maryland. . Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., the nations longest-serving president of a state Senate and a pillar of Maryland government for nearly a half-century, died Jan. 15 at his home in Chesapeake Beach, Md. Nearly two years after he announced his cancer diagnosis, Mr. Millers passing unleashed a wave of grief in Annapolis and further sealed a complete leadership transformation at the State House he presided over for 33 years. In 1986, as Schaefer became governor, the states 47 senators elected Mr. Miller Steinbergs successor. Despite his serious health challenges, he forged ahead, serving the citizens of the state of Maryland and Prince Georges County, Calvin Hawkins II, chair of the county council, said in a statement. At the time, he cited his health, including a longtime battle with cancer, as a reason. Former Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller dies Myrna and I were privileged to have him in our lives for all these years. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr has left friends, family and loved ones heart-broken as the news surrounding the death of Thomas V Former state Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. "Mike" Miller dies That happened with a strong push from the Senate president, who noted in later years that the states six casinos would be part of his legacy. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He was, in every sense, a lion of the Senate," Hogan said. Current Senate President Bill Ferguson said in a statement Friday that "Today, I join all Marylanders in mourning the passing of a champion of the Senate of Maryland, Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Mike was a family man, and his Senate family joins his family in mourning his passing. Maryland Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller, a pragmatic, tough-minded leader who presided over a progressive agenda in the chamber for a record 33 years, died Friday afternoon, his family announced. . [8], Miller was married; he and his wife lived in Chesapeake Beach and had five children, a son and four daughters. Maryland voters went on to approve the constitutional amendment allowing casinos in 2008, as well as an expansion four years later to add table games and what would become MGM National Harbor near the nations capital. He was, in every sense, a lion of the Senate, Hogan said. The administration building at the university was named after him last year. Maryland voters went on to approve the constitutional amendment allowing casinos in 2008, as well as an expansion four years later to add table games and what would become MGM National Harbor near the nations capital. Ra'cole Taltoan. . I expect well hear many of them in the days and weeks ahead, and I hope the public will listen and get a glimpse of the impact Mike made," Ferguson said. As a historian, theres no doubt about it, but Ill deal with that in my own mind, he said when the Senate gave the bill final passage. Thomas Vincent Mike Miller Jr. was born Dec. 3, 1942, in Clinton, Md., where his grandfather founded B.K. SoMDC appreciates all feedback from the community, along with tips, pictures, articles contributed, and support. Mike was a giant and a legend, who served the people of Maryland for a half century. (Joshua McKerrow / Baltimore Sun) "His . The people of Maryland are forever indebted for his service.". He saw everything from a historical context and tried to get ahead of history to see where things were going.. Thomas Miller went home to be with the Lord in the early hours of September 30th after a courageous battle with cancer. Both Democrats were 25 when they were elected to the House of Delegates on Election Day. } Thomas V. Mike Miller, former Maryland Senate president, dies at 78 All of a sudden I saw this curly-haired guy coming around the corner. 03/11/1955 - 03/30/2023 James B. Constantino, 68, of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, passed away after a long illness on March 30, 2023. The Clinton, Maryland, native took office in 1975 representing Prince George's County and became senate president in 1987. He was 78. Most recent obituaries in Toledo, Ohio. 1 of 50. Thomas A Miller Obituary. Former Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller has died at age 78. He also attended the University of Maryland Law School, hanging a shingle in Clinton and then in Dunkirk. Thanks for submitting! Photo by Bruce DePuyt. On behalf of our members, we offer our most sincere condolences and prayers to MikeMillers family, friends and loved ones, Senate Minority Leader Bryan W. Simonaire (R-Anne Arundel) said Friday night. When News Matters, It Matters Where You Get Your News. Whether its the Senator who he quietly consoled through family matters, the Senator who he mentored to compromise and pass legislation, or those who experienced the personal care of Mike to truly listen to their concerns. February 14, 1973 - September 9, 2022 Michael "Mike" Miller passed away unexpectedly in a car accident at the age of 49. Former state Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. "Mike" Miller died Friday, the culmination of a life dedicated to Maryland that will serve the state well for decades to come, friends and . Am I on the wrong side of history? ANNAPOLIS, Md. A lawyer whose district included parts of Prince Georges County near the nations capital brought a big personality to Annapolis. But he will stab you in the back., Mr. Miller, when asked about Broadwaters description, replied: Thats not a bad analysis.. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Hazel (Damewood) Miller of Luttrell and his sisters, Kathy Parker . Colin McCord, Who Helped Impose a Smoking Ban, Dies at 94 An astute observer of state politics, he used his acumen to muscle through bills, but he also could willingly acquiesce to major legislation he opposed. Statement from Senate President Bill Ferguson: Today, I join all Marylanders in mourning the passing of a champion of the Senate of Maryland, Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Mike was a family man, and his Senate family joins his family in mourning his passing. 'I Have Been Blessed' | Amid Cancer Battle, Senate President Mike Miller Reflects On Time In Maryland State House, Former Maryland Senate President Mike Miller Retires, Cites Health, Maryland's Longtime Senate President Mike Miller To Step Down, Md. Clinton, Senate President Mike Miller has metastasized prostate cancer, faces chemo", "Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Maryland Senate President Emeritus", "University of Maryland Main Administration Building Named for Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr", "Maryland delegate's effort to allow child abuse lawsuits clears hurdle", "Mike Miller resigning from Maryland Senate after more than 45 years", "Longtime Maryland Senate leader diagnosed with cancer", "Mike Miller, longest-serving Maryland Senate president, dies at 78", Project Vote Smart - Senator Thomas V. 'Mike' Miller Jr. (MD), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_V._Miller_Jr.&oldid=1130954990, This page was last edited on 1 January 2023, at 20:45. Danielle E. Gaines contributed to this report. Thomas Michael Miller Obituary Working for Mike was like working in the Mafia you go out feet first, said Gerard Evans, a lobbyist and longtime friend. As 2019 began, Mr. Miller divulged that he had cancer but kept showing up in Annapolis, eager to demonstrate his vigor even as he was undergoing chemotherapy. Bill Clinton, who spoke at the Maryland State House twice during his presidency, met Miller at a legislative conference in the 1980s and later joked that when he realized how big Millers family was, he realized it would be politically beneficial to befriend him ahead of his 1992 White House bid. It passed by 100,000 votes. Asked in 2017 if he ever wanted to write a book about his own life, Miller responded with trademark humor: I do, except I know all the good, the bad and the ugly. Staff writer Erin Cox contributed to this report. Ingeborg Anna Falacara April 17, 2023. { Thomas Miller Mortuary Monday, May 1, 2023, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm. Former state Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller died Friday, the culmination of a life dedicated to Maryland that will serve the state well for decades to come, friends and former colleagues said Friday afternoon. by lewisfuneralhome | Feb 20, 2023 | Obituaries . William Donald Schaefer. I expect well hear many of them in the days and weeks ahead, and I hope the public will listen and get a glimpse of the impact Mike made.. Nevertheless, he kept a framed resolution of the naming in his home. })(); As a result, positive legislation flowed to the [Senate] floor and across the House and with the governors signature, he said. The Mike Miller Law firm continues to practice, under Melissa's leadership, with offices both in Clinton and Dunkirk, Maryland, upholding his legacy of grit, dedication, and service to the community it serves. Thomas V. Miller Jr. - Wikipedia Of all the governors who presided during his reign, Mr. Miller said his favorite was Marvin Mandel (D) because he knew how to build support for legislation and would reward you for working with him. The worst governor, he said, was Schaefer, because he didnt understand governance. Serafini said Miller didn't seem to like when both parties were at odds, and instead took great pleasure when the two sides could make issues work. On this day of his passing, let it be known, Senator Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. spent every single day of his life as a public servant working as hard as possible to ensure others had the ability and means to live a life with purpose, just as he did his. Last Name. Some families choose to hold a visitation before the service, while others may prefer a more low-key or private family . Clinton also put in a surprise appearance in Annapolis in 2019, at a dinner for former Maryland senators, to pay tribute to his old friend, who had disclosed his cancer diagnosis just a few months earlier. Miller maintained a collegial presence in the Senate. The process to fill Thomas V. Mike Miller's vacated seat in the Maryland Senate is reaching a .