Published February 25, 2021
Retired NU Director of Sports Medicine, avid outdoorsman
NORTH READING — Benny Joe Miller, 70, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on February 22, 2021. He was a resident of North Reading for 35 years.
Born June 3, 1950 in Great Ben, Kansas, he grew up in Burdett, Kansas. He was the son of the late Ralph Dale Miller and Elizabeth Jean Commer of Burdett, Kansas.
Ben graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Psychology; Kansas University with a degree in Physical Therapy; and the University of Washington with a Master’s in Exercise Science. Ben lived in New Hampshire for two years, Alaska for five years and Washington state for seven years before moving to Massachusetts in 1987.
Ben retired in 2016 from Northeastern University as the Director of Sports Medicine. He cared for student-athletes, mentored staff, taught and supervised students and covered many sports teams as a physical therapist/athletic trainer, including Men’s Ice Hockey for 17 years, Men’s and Women’s Rowing for 30 years, Football, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball and Baseball.
Ben loved to spend time with his family, especially his granddaughter, who brought him great joy. He loved to travel, garden, hike, kayak, cross-country ski, sail, and work on home improvement projects. Ben continued to be active, even after he became ill, through the Spaulding Adaptive Sports Program.
Ben is survived by his wife of 41 years, Brenda Hyland-Miller. He is also survived by his children, Benjamin Miller and partner Avital Livny, Meredith Miller and wife Bethany Ferriera, and his granddaughter, Alexandra Ferriera; his sister, Debbie Weldon and her husband Anthony Weldon, his sister-in-law Debra Miller and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, James Miller and niece, Katrina Fox.
All services for Ben are being privately held due to the COVID pandemic.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to either Spaulding Adaptive Sports (https://giving.spauldingrehab.org/ ) or Massachusetts General Hospital – Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, Neuro-Oncology/Neuro-Surgery (https://www.massgeneral.org/neurosurgery/treatments-and-services/brain-tumor-center)
Arrangements under the direction of the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St., North Reading. To leave an online message of condolence please visit: www.cotafuneralhomes.com.
