MARS HILL - Max L. Miller, 61, went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, at a Mars Hill health care facility, after a brief illness with brain cancer. He was born Aug. 20, 1949, in Presque Isle, to Stillman and Marion Belyea Miller. He was a 1967 graduate of Central Aroostook High School. He enlisted in the Army and served in the Maine Army National Guard, 1967-1973. Max married Kathy Alexander Miller in 1971, and they had two very special daughters, Tammy and Teena. He had a very strong work ethic and held various jobs starting at age 13, when he packed and carried groceries at the local IGA for the Rideout brothers. He was a potato broker for Mars Hill Potato Co. with Dick Hallett; a self employed carpenter throughout Aroostook County; a potato inspector for Maine Department of Agriculture; and most recently, an environmental specialist for State of Maine Board of Pesticide Control, where he retired Aug. 20. He made many lasting friendships along the way. Max was an avid outdoorsman and loved to fish and hunt, even getting a moose in 2001. He loved going to his camp on his wood lot in East Plantation with his friend, Rhonello Shaw; brother-in-law, Steve; and nephew, Adam. Many stories could be told of those adventures. He loved Mars Hill Mountain, especially when the leaves changed color in the fall, and knew where the best hunting used to be there. Growing up in its backyard, he knew every inch like the back of his hand. He loved to sing and play his guitar, and his love of music was passed on to his daughters at an early age. He always had a story to tell and his sense of humor provided much laughter for all who he came in contact with, including the nurses and doctors at Eastern Maine Medical Center, The Aroostook Medical Center and Mars Hill Health Care skilled facility. He was never short on words and could bring a smile to anyone he came in contact with. He wasn't one to travel, but enjoyed the few historical visits to Appomattox, Va., and the Vietnam Memorial, Washington, D.C. He enjoyed the four wheeler ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains and couldn't get over the vast apple orchards owned by those who accompanied him on the ride. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Blaine, where he loved his pastor, Gardner "Butch" Smith and his wife, Bonnie, and the congregation, especially those in his Sunday school class. He was a past member of William Cousins Legion Post, Mars Hill; a past board member of SAD 42; and a past emergency medical technician for Central Aroostook Ambulance Corp. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Kathy (Alexander) Miller; daughters, Tammy Miller of Amherst, Va., and Teena Buckingham and husband, Lendell, of Garfield; his mother, Marion Miller of Mars Hill; a brother, Stillman Miller and wife, Beverly, of Mars Hill; brothers-in-law, Bobby Alexander and wife, Kristi, of Ellsworth, Jim and wife, Debbie, of Old Town, Stephen and wife, Carle, of Hampden, Tim of Robinson, and John and wife, Debbie, of Presque Isle; sister-in-law, Cindy (Alexander) Lovely and husband, Jim, of Mars Hill; several special nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; many special friends, especially Wayne Lunn, Dale Miller and Donald Rideout of Mars Hill. He will be especially missed by "Bodee." He was predeceased by his father, Stillman "Fay" Miller; and grandparents, Leon and Cora Belyea, and Percy and Amy Miller. A special thank you to Dr. Jones, Dr. Pelli, Dr. Wood, Dr. Mullen, Dr. Sood; the rehabilitation nurses and staff at The Aroostook Medical Center, physical therapy and occupational therapy; and Mars Hill Aroostook Health Center for the wonderful care during these past few months. Special thanks to "the sisters" and the day staff, who always found time to get him to laugh and smile. Your caring and excellent care will not be forgotten. Calling hours will be 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at Duncan Funeral Home, Mars Hill, and 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at First Free Baptist Church of Blaine, where the funeral will be held 2 p.m. with the Rev. Gardner Smith officiating. Interment will be after at Boundry Line Cemetery, Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert and Betty Alexander Scholarship Fund, care of SAD 42, P.O. Box 1006, Mars Hill, ME 04758 or First Free Baptist Church Paving Fund, care of Betty Cronkhite, P.O. Box 109, Blaine, ME 04734. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.