John A. Millett Sr.

Whitehall-John A Millett Sr, 87, of County Route 21, passed into the loving arms of our lord and savior Jesus on April 7th, 2021 following a brief illness.

Born on Jan 9th, 1934 in Whitehall, he was the son of the late Henry B. Millett and Laura Strack Millett. John was a member of the Whitehall Central School graduating class of 1951. On June 20th 1963, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Joyce A Romeo.

John enlisted in the United States Marine Corp Reserve while attending SUNY Cortland. After graduation in May of 1955 he served a two-year active duty tour. He began his teaching career in September of 1957 in Granville, teaching physical education and coaching Varsity Football, JV Basketball and Varsity Track and Field, and would eventually teach and coach at Whitehall in 1965. He retired from teaching in June of 1989, but continued coaching. John’s greatest passion was coaching football (among other sports) which he shared with his grandson Justin. From Granville to Whitehall and eventually to the Glens Falls Greenjackets, during his 40-year football coaching career he compiled 195 wins, 125 losses and 11 ties. John also coached in Westport NY where he had several soccer championships and success in basketball.  Among sports, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and going to the Saratoga racetrack. He also enjoyed visiting his daughter Debbie, and her husband Doug in North Carolina. John was also a lifetime member of the BPOE lodge 1491 in Whitehall NY, serving as Exalted Ruler 1974-1975. He also was a 47-year member of the American Legion Post 83 in Whitehall.

Besides his parents he is predeceased by his loving wife Joyce (2011), two infant sons from a previous marriage who passed in 1959, and 1960 from Cystic Fibrosis, his sister Mary Millett Bartholomew, his son William E. Rehm: brothers-in law, Emerson Bartholomew Jr., Francis P. Romeo, James VanGuilder, Ron Bessette, Farrell Prefountaine, and sister-in law Janette Romeo.

He is survived by his children: Jeffery Rehm, Mitchel Rehm(Sue), Debbie Allen(Doug), Denise Webb Shaw(David),John Millett Jr(Julie), Laurie Millett, Jamie Millett, and his daughter-in-law Margaret Rehm; Grandchildren Jessie Rehm, Jennifer Anderson, Melissa Kingsley, Maria Stanclift, Jon-Michael Rehm, Zachary Rehm, Kayla Millett Desimone, Ashley Millett and Justin Millett. Several great-grandchildren; Sisters-in-law; Diane Prefountaine, Carol VanGuilder, Linda Lee (Don) and Janice Bessette, as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests expressions of sympathy be made to: Skenesborough EMS in Whitehall, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of one’s choice.

Pallbearers will be: Jon-Michael Rehm, Justin Millett, Chris Gordon, Mike Rocque, Hank Pelton, and Jason Hoagland

Family and friends may call from 12PM to 3PM then again from 6PM to 8PM on Sunday April 11, at the Jillson Funeral Home Inc., 46 Williams St., Whitehall, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will conducted at 11AM on Monday April 12, 2021 at the Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church in Whitehall, NY with the Pastor Rev. Rendell Torres officiating. 

Burial with full military honors conducted by the Whitehall American Legion Post 83 will follow the Mass in the Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.

The Whitehall BPOE 1491 will assemble at 7:30PM for a Lodge of Sorrow and the Whitehall American Legion Post 83 will conduct a Legionaries Service at 7:45pm, Sunday at the Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John A. Millett Sr., please visit our floral store.