Christopher M. Miller

Passed away on Oct. 18, 2023; Loving father of Anika Weedon-Miller; Beloved son of Dr. Robert and Frances Miller; Cherished brother of Susan Miller (George Kachirisky) and Sharon Domenico (Darin); Treasured uncle of Ismael, Praise & Khaled Bisong and Elena, Charlotte, Katharine & Andrew Domenico; Great uncle to Zayden Bisong; and dear companion of Melissa Wilcox.

Chris grew up in Haddonfield, NJ where he graduated from HMHS and was known as “Milt.” He attended the University of Delaware, where he played on the golf team, then attended graduate school at Michigan State University where he received a MS in Turf Management. He worked for a few years in turf management, then transitioned to computers and programming.  He worked for several pharmaceutical companies in IT management, and was at his current company, Takeda, for several years.

Chris’ absolute greatest joy in life was his daughter, Anika. He enjoyed driving her to school every day, making her delicious lunches, cooking fantastic dinners, organizing movie nights, cheering her on at her swim meets, making her his special chicken soup, and creating the greatest of father/daughter bonds. He was a dedicated co-parent with his daughter’s mom, Hanne Weedon.

In the past year and a half, he also loved cooking for, running with, and traveling alongside his beloved companion, Melissa.  The love and affection they had for each other was obvious to everyone in their lives.

To appreciate the kind of man Chris was, you needed to look no further than a loaf of his famous sourdough bread, lovingly shaped and stenciled and baked to perfection—the kind of work that takes hours of focus and care and results in the best bread you’ve ever tasted. No family gathering was complete without it, and the arrival of Anika and Uncle Chris with his bread was always a family highlight. In addition to baking, he loved to cook. Some of his specialties included sushi and Indian and Thai curries; others included Uncle Chris’ famous chicken katsu and fish tacos which he made every year during his extended family’s week in Ocean City. He was passionate about recreating favorite dishes for his daughter, parents, family, and friends, surprising them with restaurant-quality meals.

He brought this quality of attention, love, and focus to every aspect of his life. His quiet and gentle nature exuded kindness, and his sharp and dry sense of humor lifted everyone’s spirits. At gatherings and holidays, he engaged in meaningful conversations with adults and then would play with the kids for hours – flipping them around, playing games and sports, knee hockey, and participating in Nerf gun fights. Chris was always a hit with the kids of any family or friend gathering.

His drive, focus, and passion led him to achieve everything he put his mind to. A gifted athlete, Chris excelled at every sport he played: swimming butterfly on the Erlton swim team; playing center field on the Bristows Little League baseball team; playing soccer and golf for Haddonfield High School, and golf for the University of Delaware; bicycling at a Tour de France-level; skiing black diamonds. There was no sport he tried that was beyond his talent and ability. His dedication to his fitness and exercise continued throughout his life and he was in peak physical shape, often biking miles each morning before the average person even woke up. He competed in triathlons and masters swim meets, often winning his age group. One of his greatest joys was helping his daughter train for a triathlon this past summer.

He was also a very talented musician. He taught himself how to play guitar and became an accomplished classical player, often performing for his family and friends. He loved to play music by Adrian Legg and Leo Kottke, and composed pieces of his own as well—playing with amazing skill, grace, beauty, and an always-generous heart.

An avid sports fan, he loved the Phillies and the Denver Broncos. Orange became his signature color, he wore the number seven to honor John Elway and traveled to Colorado every year to see dear friends and his beloved Broncos. He had recently bought an orange car that he described as the car he was always meant to have.

He loved the band Rush and went to many Rush concerts throughout his life. Most of his family and friends cannot hear a Rush song without thinking of him.

He loved trying different beers in the special beer glasses that he collected and sharing new beer discoveries with friends. Gifted to him by his mother, he was a founding member of Kings Road Brewery in Haddonfield.

He cherished dogs and early in his adulthood had two Jack Russell terriers named Duncan (after his college golf coach) and Leggo (after guitar player Adrian Legg), and he adored his daughter’s dog, Luna.

He had many lifetime friends and became an honorary member of their families. More than one of his friends described him as “the brother they never had.”  He and his friend Pat Cotter met when they were five years old and continued their friendship throughout the decades, watching every Master’s golf tournament together, and skiing and golfing in Vermont and out West for many years.  No matter the event, he was a fixture in the Cotter family.

Chris was a true inspiration; a man so full of life and love who gave generously to the world. Those who knew him will miss him and the light he brought into our lives.

Chris’ family will receive friends on Thursday, Nov. 2nd, 9:30-10:45 AM in the Sanctuary of the Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Rd., Haddonfield, NJ, where his Memorial Service will follow at 11 am.  Interment, private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to GoFundMe account to go towards Anika’s educational fund. https://gofund.me/82dd29c2