LIVINGSTON MANOR – Hundreds of mourners huddled under umbrellas and tents as the strains of Taps echoed down Pearl St. and throughout the hamlet of Livingston Manor on Saturday afternoon beneath skies heavy with rain.

An entire town and many friends and family from beyond had gathered one last time at Colonial-Bryant Funeral Home to bid farewell to a true hero of the community who lost his life last Tuesday in a tragic accident at the age of 40. 

Tim Mills Jr. was a man who had served his country in the US Army during the Afghanistan War, a man who worked hard as a foreman for Local 17 and a man who had chosen his hometown, Livingston Manor, as the place where he wanted to make a home with his wife, Carlee, and raise his family of six children.

A military color guard performed Taps and then folded the American flag that draped Tim’s casket with precision and purpose. That flag symbolized what Tim’s service meant to his country and the flag was then presented – ‘On behalf of a grateful Nation’ –  to Tim’s widow, Carlee Mills, who was surrounded by her large circle of friends and family.

It was a day to remember all that Tim meant to so many.

“Driving through town, I had to park in Roscoe,” the Rev. Edward Bader, of St. Peter’s Church in Liberty, said, referring to the car-lined streets throughout the hamlet that had brought people to the service. “This says it all. Friendships, love… the shear outpouring of love is tremendous.”

Throughout Friday’s two visitations more than a thousand family, friends and community members packed the Colonial-Bryant Funeral Home on Pearl St. to capacity.

And on Saturday, with hundreds of people standing throughout the packed house, the service began at 2 p.m.

“Let Tim’s strength strengthen us. Let Tim’s life guide us. Let Tim’s person be with us,” Father Bader said.

“I don’t know why accidents happen,” he continued. “Why do bad things happen to good people?

“It has taken the very best of us away from us in this case,” Father Bader said. “We can’t make sense out of senseless things. We ask God to take Tim to himself and reward him for all the good work done.”

Brother Mike Mills gave testimony to just how much Tim Jr. meant to the family.

“Being a Mills meant you cared,” he said. “Being Tim Mills’ little brother was the coolest thing ever.

“We don’t want to live in a shadow, but I did,” Mike, referring to his older brother’s 6-foot, 6-inch frame and big personality, said. “He taught me everything I know.

“When people said, ‘You are Timmy Mills’ little brother’ it made me feel OK,” he said. “I did a lot of first things in life with Tim – whether mom and dad knew about it.

“We were the definition of brothers,” he said. “He showed me how to be the best in everything you could be – father, brother, friend.

“I am going to be the best little version of him I can be,” he said. “Thank you for being there, from all of us. I am going to miss you, miss you a lot. You showed me how to be a great person.

“My brother touched so many lives with love and support,” Mike said as looked out at the packed house. “I felt it my entire life.”

And Mike ended with words of wisdom, “Love your people while you’re here. Love them while they are here.”

Tim Mills Sr. then came forward to talk about his oldest son. 

“The world has lost a great individual who loved his family, and loved his town,” Tim Sr. said. “We are broken, but we will get mended. Not fixed, mended.

Tim Sr. said when his son faced hardship he told his dad, “I’m not going to let it define my life. I will live every single day the way I want to.”

And that message was one Tim Sr. wanted to share with the hundreds of people there.

“We are all so appreciative of everyone who is here and came through that door,” Tim Sr. said. “Whoever touched our lives, we are all so much more fortunate. My family is tighter since this happened.

“Thank you all,” he said. “Rest in peace, Timmy.”

Fund set up

Contributions in Timothy Mills Jr.’s name are being accepted to aid in the care of his children. There is a Go-Fund Me page or donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 307, Livingston Manor, NY 12758.