John C. "Digger" Miller Obituary (1954

John Cannon "Digger" Miller, 69, of Monroe, NJ, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Penn Medical Center. He was born in Plainfield, NJ to Conrad Miller and Charlotte Anne Miller and raised in Edison. Digger was a graduate of JP Stevens High School where he maintained lifelong friendships and served as a main writer and photographer for the school newspaper. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and had a career in university textbook sales for publishing companies, including employment with Baker and Taylor, Brodart and MacMillan, among others. He traveled to universities throughout the US and loved both the travel and the connections he made. Digger is best remembered for interests in science, in particular computer science, astronomy and physics. He was a docent at the Franklin Institute Astronomy Gallery in Philadelphia, as well as a NJ high school guest speaker and substitute teacher sharing his passion for learning about the universe. Digger had full access to the Princeton University Department of Astrophysical Sciences where as a paraprofessional, he was treated as a colleague and developed many long-lasting friendships. He provided instruction to the public at weekly events at the observatory. His favorite deep sky astronomy object was Messier 11 - The Wild Duck Cluster. In his younger years he was very proud of his long history in the Amateur Astronomy Association of Princeton in which he served in several leadership positions, including Director. Digger was an accomplished photographer, an avid tennis player, a member of the Country Promenaders (square-dancing club), and raised praying mantis. In addition, he started his own IT consulting company, Symbitech. He was a lifelong bachelor who is survived by his two brothers, Conrad Winslow Miller (Lynn), Brielle, NJ and Keith William Miller, Sandia Park, NM. He is also survived by his nephew, Jonathan W. Miller (Maura), Brielle, NJ and niece Dr. Alexandra A. Miller, Point Pleasant, NJ with whom he shared many memories in teaching the art of wit and sarcasm. Digger is also survived by close friends and "second family" David Weatherby (Lee), Hampton, NH and their daughters, Laurel E. Larivee, NH and Elaine R. Weatherby, Seattle, WA whom Digger regarded as his nieces. He also loved to spend time sharing his interest in creatures with his great nephew, Miles Winslow Miller. Digger's experiences and interests led him to the company of many friends during his life, including Eric Chase, Vince Da Grosa, Mary Neaf and Kelly Simon, as well as his Princeton University astrophysical associates. A memorial to honor Digger's life will be announced at a later date. His parting vision is reflected in a self-selected quotation for his headstone: "Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another." (Plato)