HANCOCK – A Tuesday afternoon logging accident claimed the life of a well-known and respected Livingston Manor man according to the New York State Police, Troop C public information officer, Trooper Aga Dembinska.

Timothy H. Mills, Jr., age 40, of Livingston Manor, was apparently working alone when a tree hit him in what appeared to be a logging accident, police said.

Mills was located by a co-worker of Steve Bott Logging at approximately 2 p.m., who called for help, according to the police report.

The Hancock EMS was the first to arrive at the scene at 5965 County Rte. 28 in Hancock and found Mills deceased, police said. 

The New York State Police arrived shortly thereafter and the Delaware County Coroner Nanette Treadwell responded to the scene.

Devoted family man; good friend

Tim proudly served his country in the US Army and was a Foreman for Local 17. Above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his friends and family best. 

He took pride in everything he did, and was a hard worker, a loving husband, father, and friend to all who knew him. 

Mills was a 2000 graduate of Livingston Manor Central School and excelled in sports during his high school years.

Mills was a force on the hardwood and made the Sullivan County Democrat’s All-Star team during his senior year.

According to the write-up, “The 6-foot-5 pivot, a three-year starter, came into his own this year, averaging 21 points and 17 rebounds in WSL games and leading the Wildcats to their most successful season in years (4–10 WSL).

The game of his life came on January 19, when he scored a school-record 44 points and grabbed 29 rebounds in a 99-82 win over Roscoe. After that, noted first-year Manor coach Chris Hubert, Mills became a marked man.

“They started double- teaming him and we had trouble getting the ball into him. So he started getting more rebounds and more opportunities to shoot the ball,” Hubert said.

“We planned our offense around Tim and Ryan Carlson, and they worked well together. You also have to give the team credit for getting the ball to him,” Hubert noted.

Mills averaged about 30 minutes per game (“I couldn’t afford to take him out,” said Hubert) and, especially after the big game against Roscoe, “He started gaining confidence in his skills. When he shot the ball, he had confidence it was going in.”