PORTLAND — Robert Hayden Miller, 71, of Portland, died Feb. 25 at Mercy Hospital after a long illness.

Miller was born Aug. 13, 1941 in Portland, a son of James and Evelyn Miller. 

He attended local schools, graduating from Deering High School, followed by service in the National Guard. Miller’s obsession was newspapers of any kind, so it was fitting that the young paper boy eventually spent his lifetime career at the Portland Press Herald. 

He was devoted to his mother, who was his best friend. They enjoyed travelling and and going to sports events and lived together until her death in 2010.

Miller was passionate about sports, never missing a Red Sox, Celtics, or Patriots game. He will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Miller was predeceased by his father, James Miller, in 1977, his sister, Judy Geng, in 1996, and his mother, Evelyn Miller in 2010.

He is survived by his brother, Peter Miller, of Portland; niece, Lisa Adams, of San Antonio, Texas; nephews James Geng, of San Antonio, Texas, and Robert Geng, of Albuquerque, N.M.; aunt, Flossie Dunn, of Boston; and his cousin, Christine Moran, of Salem, Mass. He will also be sadly missed by special friends, Leigh Currier, and Harold Chadwick, both of Portland.

Friends and family are invited to a 10 a.m. period of visitation with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. Monday, March 18 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation Services, in Portland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mercy Hospital Wound Care Clinic, 144 State St., Portland, ME 04101.