Obituary of Stephen E. Miller

Stephen Edward Miller was born May 17, 1969, to parents Joanne (Everly) and Edward Miller. The eldest of three siblings, he grew up in Philadelphia, PA and was a lifelong Eagles fan. He developed his love of family and unrelenting work ethic from his parents who both, through example, displayed the values that he carried with him throughout his life. After graduating from high school, Steve went to work with his dad in the retail appliance business. During this time, music was a big part of his life and was the drummer for the rock band, Pack of Lies. Steve spent much of his spare time performing in and around the Philadelphia club scene and enjoyed a loyal cult following. It was at one of his performances that he met Regina who would become his first wife. They later married and welcomed their son, Stephen, shortly after. Settling into married life and fatherhood, the work ethic he inherited from his own father kicked into high gear as he accepted his new responsibilities. With his fearless ambition when it came to providing for his family, he had quickly moved into an assistant manager position in order to take on new and more profitable challenges. He later enrolled in tractor trailer school and was soon on the road with a class A license driving 45 footers. Armed with this new skill, Steve found creative ways to win over his employers and advanced into various jobs as a driver, forklift operator, salesman, and eventually management positions; he excelled at all of them. Steve's ability to win over the people around him became a hallmark of his life. Nowhere was this more true during his early years, than when he fell in with the young startup company: Olympic Paper. As he was establishing himself as an invaluable member of that team, he and Regina welcomed their daughter, Jessica. With the future looking bright, Steve was more motivated than ever to provide for his young family. His children were the pride of his life, and he really got the opportunity to show this through their extracurricular activities. His unending commitment to his son's passion for ice hockey was another chance to go the extra mile for someone he absolutely loved. From in-house leagues to travel leagues, Steve made it happen, including summer camps in Michigan where his son got to learn from and skate with NHL players. On these treks to Michigan, Steve took the time to plan amazing family trips that included landmark destinations and visits to amusement parks and zoos along the way. These are memories his kids will forever cherish. As his daughter became interested in softball, basketball, and tennis, Steve once again jumped in head first to be a part of it. In softball, he was right there helping out the coaches with practices and during games as well. However, the moment she became interested in basketball, Steve really got involved by taking on the big responsibility of becoming the head coach throughout her years of playing. As Steve's brother was an avid tennis player, her interest extended into that as well, and he made sure that she was able to participate in every tennis class she could. Even with the high standards he held for himself, Steve had desperately tried to hide his private burdens he carried within. Their unforgiving and cruel tendencies grew so overwhelmingly powerful that before long, he was unable to sustain his job at Olympic Paper, and regrettably, his first marriage also came to an end. Throughout this troubling time, he went back out on the road driving tractor trailers to make a fresh start and find peace with this new normal. Sadly, more tragedy came to him. While driving on I-95 behind the wheel of a 45 foot tractor trailer heading over the Girard Point Bridge, he took out a guard rail and jackknifed the rig. Miraculously, no one else was involved in the accident, but it resulted in serious injuries to himself. With the love and support of his family, Steve slowly recovered from the accident, but also was discovering what his true calling was to be. Starting as a volunteer Firefighter with the Media (PA) Fire Company, he got the itch that would lead him into a life of dedicated service as a first responder. Steve had a genuine love for people and a generous spirit that was aching to serve in bigger ways even when his personal struggles were at their worst. The accomplishments he achieved throughout the remainder of his life would prove to be unprecedented. With the renewed ambition that being a Firefighter brought about, Steve's creative mind was back with a vengeance, and his accomplishments started piling up at a rapid pace. In June 2010, Steve graduated from the Police Academy. Even though joining the Police Force was not meant to be, he used the experience to further his studies by focusing on what else he could do as a first responder. In December of 2012, he received his first Associate Degree in Applied Science: Emergency Management. In May 2014, he received two more in Emergency Management and Planning and also Paramedicine. High honors were given to him for all three. May of 2016 brought Steve another major achievement by earning a Bachelor of Science: Public Safety Degree from Neumann University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Also at Neumann University, Steve received his Master of Science: Education in May 2017. In August 2011 Steve met Katherine who would become the love of his life. Steve embraced her children as his own, and surrounded by all of their children, they married in 2014 and settled in Delaware. Kathy provided Steve with the stable home life he so desperately craved while she continued to love and support him throughout his ambitious pursuits. At the same time she was, and still is, committed to her own gold standard in the dental community. Throughout their almost 12 years together Kathy was the rock, the foundation, with which he was able to finally realize his true potential. She still loves him dearly and will continue to miss him for the rest of her days. Throughout his pursuits of ever higher levels of education, Steve continued to work full-time as an EMT before beginning his new career as a Paramedic where he gradually earned the love and respect of his peers throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania. As a teacher and mentor for EMT's who were new to the job, Steve became a trusted and learned friend who went above and beyond for all those who shared his passion to serve. In addition to his full-time Paramedic career, he also worked part-time at numerous other companies, including teaching classes at Lehigh Valley Health Network to other healthcare providers and teaching CPR with Baldwin CPR to dental offices and daycare facilities in Delaware. His natural ability to teach was carried forth in everything he did. Steve's greatest triumph was to see his own children grow up, living by the values taught to them and starting families of their own. The birth of his three grandchildren brought Steve a different kind of joy, a unique happiness that only the next generation can provide. His grandchildren all have a spark in their little eyes they surely inherited from him. Along with his passion for his work and love of family, Steve was an advocate for mental health. It was not uncommon for him to help anyone who was struggling with this. He was always willing to listen or to bring nutritional snacks to make sure they knew they were taking care of themselves, and that they were not alone. On Saturday, March 27, 2022, while working a night shift at Advanced Nurse Transportation Service, he was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene. As Steve's immediate and extended family are in shock at his untimely death, it is our sincere hope that Steve found more happiness than sorrow during his 52 living years. Steve was preceded in death by both his maternal grandparents and both his paternal grandparents along with his father, Edward Thomas Miller in 2014. He is survived by his loving wife of 7 years, Katherine Miller, mother Joanne Miller, brother Andrew Miller (Dorothy), sister Elizabeth Femmer (Harry), son Stephen, daughter Jessica, his three step children Breanna, Jensen, and Reilly, nephew Hunter, and his three beautiful grandchildren Caitlyn, Connor, and Keith III, along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Viewing: 10A – 12P on Saturday April 9th at McCausland Garrity Marchesani Funeral Home, 343 S. Chester Pike, Glenolden, PA 19036. First Responders including EMS, Police, and Fire, are asked to meet at 9:30AM to be escorted into the viewing as departments. Funeral Service: 12PM on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial: Private In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Steve's name to the Code Green Campaign