Members of the Bergen community are optimistically awaiting word of Congressional approval which will name the Bergen Post Office in honor of Barry G. Miller – a Bergen native, resident, business owner and volunteer firefighter/EMT who died in the line of duty September 23, 2015 while responding to an emergency call.
Miller served as a Bergen Town Council member for several years. “I had the honor and privilege to serve with Barry,” said Joe Nenni, a former council person and now a town justice. “It was very rewarding. Barry never said no to anybody. I think the community should never forget him.”
Knowing that local post offices have been named in honor of service persons, Nenni contacted the office of Rep. Chris Collins to see if it was possible to name the Bergen Post Office in honor of Miller, who died, “while helping his community,” Nenni explained.
Collins’ office responded enthusiastically and after receiving permission from Miller’s parents, Tracy and Loretta Miller, introduced a bill into the House of Representatives. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has done the same in the Senate.
“Barry Miller was deeply involved in the Bergen community and his passion showed in his dedication to service and answering the call of those in danger,” Senator Gillibrand said. “We collectively weep on the passing of such an extraordinary and generous person. This designation would be a fitting tribute for a hometown hero in the community he held near and dear.”
Barry Miller was beloved by all who were lucky enough to meet him, said Congressman Collins. “In order to honor his passion for his community and his commitment to helping others, I am glad to partner with Senator Gillibrand to introduce legislation renaming the post office in Bergen after Mr. Miller.”
Miller tirelessly served the Bergen community in a multitude of ways. He was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years including assistant EMS chief for ten years. He was owner of Miller’s Millworks in Bergen and the Beaver River Lodge in the Adirondacks. At the time of his death, he was a Genesee County Coroner.
Nenni added that Miller was a member of the 2008 Leadership Genesee class and Leadership Genesee recently created a Lifetime Achievement Award in Miller’s honor.
Fittingly, the 2015 Barry Miller Lifetime Achievement Award was presented in December to another civically-minded Bergen business person, Charlie Cook, president and CEO of Liberty Pumps.
Miller and Cook both graduated from Byron-Bergen Central School, the Leadership Genesee program, and opened successful businesses in Bergen, all while giving back to their community.
The award itself was custom designed by Miller’s Millworks, Nenni said. It features a wooden base with a stylized “M” wood shaving logo associated with Miller’s Millworks and a split base with purple and black stripes. The colors are associated with a firefighter’s death in the line of duty.
