Eldridge Frank Mills Sr. of Quogue died at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead on December 29. He was 88.
Mr. Mills was born on October 22, 1925, in Cartersville, Virginia, to Rose Patton and Frank Mills. He attended Westhampton Beach schools, where he became a star athlete in basketball and track and field. He joined the United States Army in 1943 as a radio operator technician, where he attained the rank of T4. He was highly decorated when he was honorably discharged in 1947. After his discharge, he worked odd jobs until becoming the senior foreman at the Long Island Duck Farmers Exchange, where he worked for many years until his retirement.
On June 19, 1947, Mr. Mills married Anna Hubbard. They were married for 62 years and had four children.
Mr. Mills loved to play golf, which led him to become an employee at Rock Hill Golf and Country Club in Manorville. He was an excellent bowler and an avid fisherman. “Unkie,” as he was affectionately called by most, could always be seen with a baseball cap and a smile you could never forget, survivors said.
Mr. Mills is survived by a daughter, Sandra Davis and husband Larry of East Patchogue; and three sons, Eldridge Jr. and wife Jody of Phoenix, and Barry Mills and Ronald Mills, both of Quogue. He is also survived by a granddaughter, Cheryl Mills of Hauppauge; two great-granddaughters, Bree and Treasure of Hauppauge; an uncle, Richard Liggon of Westhampton Beach; two cousins and friends, Lewis Turpin Sr. and James Miles; two brothers-in-law, Minister James Hubbard and wife Ruth, and Robert Hubbard and wife Jolda; and four sisters-in-law, Ethel Strickland, Emma Johnson, Cora Hubbard and Mary Hubbard. He was predeceased by his wife, Anna; and a sister, Dorothy Liggon, both in 2009.
Visitation was held on January 2 at the Follett and Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach. Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church of Cutchogue on January 4 with the Reverend Cornelius Fulford officiating. Interment followed with full military honors at Calverton National Cemetery.
on Jan 6, 2014