The Bergen community established its own hometown memorial to Barry Miller Saturday, September 10, when a memorial plaque was unveiled during a dedication ceremony naming the Bergen Post Office the Barry G. Miller Post Office in honor of Miller’s contributions to his community.
Miller, a volunteer firefighter and EMT, was killed in the line of duty September 23, 2015, while responding with the Bergen Ambulance to a call for help.
“He desired to serve rather than be served,” Miller’s father, Tracy Miller, said during the ceremonies. “We wish Barry was here today to see how special he really was.”
Miller’s sister, Pamela McCarthy, called her brother a “hometown boy” who “loved this community … we are thankful he will be remembered for many years to come and are so glad his story will be kept alive.”
Congressman Chris Collins, State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Jared Jones of the Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Manager of Post Office Operations Ronald Coon attended the ceremonies – which included a presentation of American flags which flew over the U.S. Capitol – to the Miller Family and Chief Kevin Finucane of the Bergen Fire Department. Congressman Collins also unveiled the memorial plaque.
Congressman Chris Collins speaks during dedication ceremonies honoring Barry Miller while members of the Bergen Volunteer Fire Department look on. K. Gabalski photo
Collins credited Town of Bergen Judge Joseph Nenni, who served on the Bergen Town Board with Miller, for setting the process in motion to have the Bergen Post Office named in honor of Miller. Collins said he was thrilled to make the call informing the Bergen community that President Obama had signed legislation which made the naming official.
Miller was, “A key member of the Bergen community,” Congressman Collins said, and noted Miller’s 31 years as a member of the Bergen Volunteer Fire Department, including 10 as assistant emergency medical services chief. Miller also served as a member of the Bergen Town Board and was a Genesee County Coroner at the time of his death.
He was the owner of Miller’s Millworks in Bergen and the Beaver River Lodge in the Adirondacks.
“We will never forget Barry,” Congressman Collins said.
Ronald Coon, Manager of Post Office Operations, explained that naming the Post Office in honor of Miller is a “special tribute,” which is particularly fitting as Miller’s mother, Loretta, worked at the Bergen Post Office for 30 years.
