Miller M. Fagley, age 97, of Glen Spey, died December 9, 2014, in Frederick, Maryland, where he had been living with his daughter since mid-2013.

Born in Tarentum, Pennsylvania in 1917, he was the son of the late Oscar A. and Jennie Mae Fagley. During WWII he served in the U.S. Merchant Marines, Army Transport Service, beginning his career as Carpenter’s Mate on a three-masted schooner, and, when discharged, he was a licensed Second Officer. On D-Day he commanded the landing craft (a ship’s lifeboat) that transported General Robertson of the 2nd Division Rangers onto Omaha Beach under enemy fire. He was always proud that the general and his staff never got their feet wet.

Miller was a charter member of the Lumberland Fire Department, where he served in many different roles, including Chief. He was active in Boy Scout Troop 102, was a member of American Legion Post 1363, the Delaware Valley Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Port Jervis Lodge of Elks #645 B.P.O.E., and the Deep Hollow Hunting Club. Miller was a master woodcarver, known for his walking sticks with life-like animal heads. He was a cross-country ski instructor and an ardent bicyclist. He and his wife took many cycling trips as members of the International Bicycle Touring Society and Miller continued to ride into his 90s.

Miller was predeceased by his wife Dorothy Schneider in 2001. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Bob Dollar of Frederick, Maryland; his grandson, Stephen Dollar of North Carolina; sister-in-law Jane Schneider and brother-in-law Howard Thiele, 11 nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many dear friends whose lives he touched.

Services were held on December 16 at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. Interment was at Glen Spey Cemetery, Glen Spey, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lumberland Fire Department, 5000 County Route 31, Glen Spey, NY 12737.