Obituary: Richard A. "Dick" Miller, 86, Cuba

CUBA - Richard A. "Dick" Miller, of 2815 Haskell Road in Cuba, passed away Sunday (April 23, 2017) at home, surrounded by his loving family. Born on Dec. 28, 1930, in Olean, he was a son of the late Edwin and Beatrice Jordan Miller. Dick spent his first 11 years growing up in East Olean, fishing and exploring Haskell Creek and the Allegany River. In 1941, his parents purchased a farm on Haskell Road, where he resided for the past 75 years while farming and raising a family. He worked various jobs throughout his lifetime. At the age of 12 he worked for his oldest brother, William, doing various farm chores such as milking cows and feeding chickens. After his graduation from Portville Central School in 1948, he continued his passion for dairy and chicken farming. On June 6, 1951, he married Virginia R. Dixon.Dick and William started their aviation hobby by purchasing a Taylor Craft and later on a Cub Coupe airplane, which were flown off their own runway located on their farm. However, this hobby was short-lived when their children were born due to strong requests by their wives. In the early 1960s, he and his wife, Virginia, owned and operated the Dinosaur Park, located at Riverhurst Park in Westons Mills. Various life-sized dinosaur models were constructed by him and his younger brother, Norman. During this time, he started employment through the Olean Wholesale Grocery Co-op as a produce worker and buyer for 18 years.From 1983 to 1992, Richard and Virginia owned and operated Miller's Farm Market on East State Street in Olean, where they met many new friends, leaving them with a lifetime of memories. On Aug. 4, 2001, he married Gladys Mott-Lute. Together they traveled, wintered in Florida and enjoyed family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Gladys Mott-Lute Miller; four sons, Timothy (Deborah) Miller of Cuba, Alan (Linda) Miller of Salamanca, Terry (Barbara) Miller of Cuba, and Mark (Carol) Miller of Jamesville; a stepdaughter Lucille (Brian) Green of Shinglehouse, Pa.; two brothers, William Miller of Cuba and Norman (Wilda) Miller of Wellsville; a sister, Carol (Robert) Kordish of Hilton; two brothers-in-law, Clifford Mott of Ridgway, Pa., and David Mott of Olean; two sisters-in-law, Dana Goldsmith of Rixford, Pa., and Janet Eymer of Eldred, Pa.; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife of 47 years, Virginia Dixon Miller; sisters-in-law Arlene Dixon Bordonaro, Nancy Wagner Miller and Pat Goldsmith; and a brother-in-law, Charles (Nino) Bordonaro. Per Dick's request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. A memorial service will be announced at a future date. Arrangements are under the direction of Guenther Funeral Home Inc., Olean. Memorials in his name may be made to HomeCare & Hospice or the Olean Dialysis Center.