Peter W. Miller's Obituary
Peter W. Miller, 77, of Stafford Springs, CT passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Hartford, CT, son of the late Daniel and Ethel (Safner) Miller. Peter received an Associate's Degree in mechanical design from Porter School of Engineering Design (Porter & Chester Institute) in Hartford, CT. He worked as a machinist for the Carl Fisher Co. in Springfield, MA for 38 years. Everyone who knew Peter thought of him as a mechanical genius. He could fix just about anything, and if he needed something that didn’t exist, he could design and build it.
Peter was an avid bicyclist. In the 1970’s, he and two friends rode their bikes from Connecticut to Michigan. Peter loved it so much he embarked on his own and continued riding to Florida to meet up with his life-long friend Ed Ptolemy. His next endeavor was to plan a bike trip across the US from coast to coast. Peter, his brother Tim, and cousin Chuck assembled new more advanced bikes. Peter designed and built new bicycle hubs and racks to carry their panniers, sleeping bags, and tent. They rode west from CT in July and reached the Pacific coast in two months. Along the way, they reconnected with cousins and friends and had many adventures. Inspired by the quote, “May the road rise up to meet you and wind be always at your back,” Peter and his brother Tim opened The Tailwind Bicycle shop in Stafford. For three years, they helped spread the joys of cycling to the local community. His love of bicycling remained constant through the years, and he could recently be seen riding his bright green “Penny-Farthing” high-wheel bike around town.
Peter has always been passionate about the family farm that had been passed down from his grandparents, Peter and Lena Safner. He lived on the farm with his wife Caroline, and two daughters. He had a pick-your-own Strawberry business and also supplied local restaurants with organic produce. He and Caroline have been part of the management team of the CSA farm called “Down to Earth” for many years–it continues to operate on the family farm today.
After decades of work, Peter was able to achieve the dream of preserving the family farm. With his sister Mary Anne and many neighboring farmers, they preserved 1200 acres in northeast Connecticut with the Forest Legacy Project and the Connecticut Farmland Trust. They received the “2022 Excellence in Conservation Organization Award” from the Connecticut Land Conservation Council for the “Whip-Poor-Will Woods Forest Legacy Project.”
Peter is survived by his loving wife, Caroline I. Brown; daughters, Kaitlin Clinton and her husband Matthew, and Aubrey Miller and her husband Adam Lauer; grandchildren, Kira and Ivy Clinton; siblings, Mary Anne Miller-Baker and her husband Stan Baker, and Timothy Miller and his partner Jane Murdoch; uncle, William Miller; and many cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. Edward Church, 55 High St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Edward Cemetery, West Stafford Rd., Stafford Springs, CT. Those unable to attend the Mass but would still like to pay their respects are welcome to greet his family between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM at the Church.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff from Trinity Health Home Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided during Peter’s final days.
Memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Farmland Trust, 77 Buckingham St., 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106, or to Trinity Health Home Hospice, 659 Tower Ave., Hartford, CT 06112. To leave a message of sympathy for his family, or for directions, please visit: https://www.introvignefuneralhome.com
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