Harvey (“Skip”) M. Millier, III, a master of dad jokes, died May 27, 2023, surrounded by his loving family after a brief, but courageous, battle with cancer. Born on July 25, 1948, in Auburn, Skip spent the first five years of his life in Skaneateles, until his family moved to the Philadelphia suburbs. There, Skip graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep and Villanova University, where he developed his life-long passion for Villanova basketball and Philadelphia sports.
Skip spent many years working for Weichert Realtors, and later Berkshire Hathaway, as a residential and commercial real estate agent. He was a fierce advocate for his clients and was skilled at finding the right property for them, whether a first-time home buyer or experienced investor. Skip was president of the Drexel Park Homeowners Association for several years, and was also a member and former president of his local Rotary.
In his early life, Skip was a World and U.S. champion ice dancer, first competing and performing with his sister, Ann, in 1966 in Lake Placid. Skip and Ann were silver medalists at Nationals in 1970, earning a spot on the US World Figuring Skating Team. Together, they traveled the world with the U.S. team, including “behind the iron curtain,” competing in world and international competitions. They were part of an elite group of skaters that introduced ice dancing to the Olympics. Skip enjoyed passing on his ice-skating knowledge and skill to his many students over the years.
Skip was a true sports enthusiast and athlete, and he found joy in coaching little league and attending almost every one of his children’s games and meets. He was a dedicated and passionate tennis player, and enjoyed playing daily with his friends. He also found great joy in introducing the sport to his granddaughter, Ainsley.
Skip met the love of his life, Sally, in 1977 while he was living in Lexington, MA, and teaching skating in Boston. They married on May 30, 1981, and built a fabulous life together, filled with dinner parties, travel, tennis, dancing, dogs and their two children, of whom Skip was so proud.
Skip was fortunate enough to return to Skaneateles in 2020 to be nearer to his beloved granddaughters, Ainsley and Lily, with whom he shared his love for dogs and ice cream. Skip is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, Sally Pearson, daughter Samantha and son-in-law Mike Balestra, son Gunnar and daughter-in-law Emily, granddaughters Ainsley and Lily, sisters Ann O’Neil and Margaret Everett, and several nieces and nephews.
A private service and burial will be held for immediate family to honor Skip’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund or to a charity of your choosing.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
