Gary Louis Miller

YOUNGSTOWN - Gary Louis Miller, 75, passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Kobacker House in Columbus, surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Gary was born April 17, 1950, on the West Side of Youngstown, a son of the late Louis C. Miller and Geraldine P. (DePiore) Miller. A descendant of Italian, Hungarian and German immigrants, he was a lifelong resident of Youngstown and a member of St. Brendan Catholic Church and St. Christine Catholic Church.

Gary attended St. Brendan School, graduated from Ursuline High School in 1968, and went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University. He began a more than 44-year career in the metals manufacturing industry at age 19, first working the open hearth at U.S. Steel while attending college, followed by decades of service in management at RTI Titanium (now Howmet), including serving as plant manager in Ashtabula and Sharon, Pennsylvania, later working in Niles. Gary related to and respected all people he worked with - from CEO’s to hourly workers.

Gary married the love of his life, Linda Marie Lucarell in 1979. Together they had two children, Jonathan Paul and Stephanie Ann, whom they raised together in a loving and beautiful home. Gary cherished family above all else. He dedicated his life to his children as a father who was loyal, steadfast, patient, and caring. He worked tirelessly to create a beautiful yard and home environment for his family to enjoy. Gary was a loving provider and made sure his family always had a summer vacation, including favorite destinations of Corolla, North Carolina and Lake Erie. As empty-nesters, Gary and Linda enjoyed time traveling together, visiting local wineries and those along Lake Erie in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Gary especially loved being a grandfather to his four grandchildren, Ivy, Annabelle, Luke and Rosalyn, and was a trusted advisor and best friend to his children and their spouses.

A devoted Catholic throughout his life, Gary was actively involved in his parish from a young age. At St. Brendan, he served as an altar server, helped organize the parish festival, was a member of the Son Shine Folk Choir, coached CYO softball and served as a CCD instructor. At St. Christine, he volunteered as a member of parish council, Men’s Renewal, choir and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Gary had many interests and hobbies and enjoyed experiencing culture and appreciating the finer things in life. A music enthusiast, he shared his beautiful tenor voice and enjoyed listening to all genres, including jazz, blues, folk and Celtic music. As a young man, he studied voice at YSU’s Dana School of Music. He enjoyed listening to WYSU on Saturday nights for “Jazzscapes” and on Sundays for “Thistle & Shamrock,” and faithfully read every issue of National Geographic from cover to cover. He was especially fond of classic movies and could identify nearly every actor and actress by name.

Gary was a Master Gardener and skilled landscape artist who volunteered his talents at Mill Creek MetroParks. He cultivated a resort-like backyard, featuring a goldfish pond, pool, hot tub, and vegetable garden. He loved classic cars and attended the AACA Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania from the early 1980’s through 2024, culminating in a ground-up restoration of a 1932 Chevy Coupe. An excellent cook, Gary was always finding new recipes to try for his family. He loved cooking for crowds and hosting large gatherings of family and friends. He was a lifelong sports fan and athlete, orchestrating a calisthenics class for his neighborhood friends as a child. Gary played and coached softball, backyard badminton, and golf, and walked several miles at Mill Creek MetroParks each week when his health allowed, and was a devoted fan of the Cleveland Guardians and Ohio State football.

Gary will be remembered as an absolute gentleman who believed in persevering, doing the best with what you had, creating and nurturing beauty for others to enjoy, generously sharing talents and gifts, and cherishing family and friends. We treasure his cartoon-like sense of humor and will remember how he had a song for every occasion. His friendly personality endured throughout his cancer treatment, bringing light humor to all those he encountered at The James Cancer Hospital.

Gary is survived by his wife, Dr. Linda Lucarell Miller; his son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Kimberly Miller; his daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie Miller Maddock and Paul Maddock; his grandchildren, Ivy, Annabelle, Luke and Rosalyn; his siblings, Msgr. Ken Miller, Terry (Kathy) Miller, Joyce Miller (John Paese) and Judy (Nick) Ricci; his brother-in-law, Dominic (Michele) Lucarelli; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his in-laws, Dominic and Virginia Lucarell, and his lifelong best friend and cousin, Pete Maine.

The Miller family extends heartfelt gratitude for the caring staff of Kobacker House and to Dr. Choi and the staff of The James Cancer Hospital in Columbus.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a funeral service will take place at 4 p.m. presided by Fr. Philip Rogers and Msgr. Ken Miller.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gary’s honor to Mill Creek MetroParks toward the installation of a memorial bench at the East Cohasset Trail parking area. Donations can be made to Gary’s memorial page at https://lovemillcreek.org/gary-miller-memorial-fund.