Obituary of Douglas Lee Mills

Douglas Lee Mills, 83 of Millville, NJ and formerly of Vineland, NJ and Winslow, ME, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland after an extended illness on Wednesday, June 26^th, 2024.

He grew up in Saugus and Everett, MA, the son of the late Bertram “Frederick” and Merida (White) Mills. He proudly served in the Howitzer Battery, 3^rd Recon Squadron, 3^rd Armored Cavalry Regiment of the US Army, which he joined at age 17.  While stationed at Fort Knox, KY, he met Vineland native Joseph Danna, Jr., who brought him home on leave.  It was during that leave that he met Lucille “Ceil” Boscola.  After his honorable discharge, Doug and Ceil married in May of 1963.

Known to many as “Dougie”, he wove himself into the Vineland community, where he was involved in several local organizations.  He was a decades long member of the North Italy Club, in which he served as Vice President, President and Club Committee member.  He was a member of American Legion Post 270 in Minotola and the Recreation Club. During the CB radio craze of the mid to late 70s, his handle was “Limey”, and he was No. 18 of the Channel 1 Bananas.  He participated in multiple local amateur sports leagues but was most known for his reputation as a power hitting third baseman for numerous fast and slow pitch softball teams.  An avid outdoorsman, he was a member of the Menantico and Landisville Gun Clubs and would look forward to the annual Maine deer season, where he would link up with fellow Vinelanders who made the trip north every year.  He was known for his crabs and spaghetti, and would shoo everyone from the kitchen to keep his recipe a family secret!

When he settled in Vineland, he worked for Kimble Glass while also working part time as an exterminator and mechanic.  In 1966, with a growing family to support, he began his career as a pipefitter apprentice with Ambrose Mechanical. After his apprenticeship, he worked for Ambrose and Bernal Mechanical, and as a General Foreman out of the Local 322 union hall.  Not being one to sit still for long, after his retirement at age 55, he took a job at Pinelands Golf Course.  In 2002, Doug and Ceil fulfilled their lifelong dream of retiring to Maine, where they took pride in their garden, hosting numerous family gatherings, and cutting nearly 3 acres of grass that we swear he could hear growing!  They recently returned to New Jersey, so that they could be closer to necessary medical care.

In addition to his parents, Dougie was predeceased by brothers Kenneth (Sarge), William, and Stephen along with sister Barbara.  He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lucille (Boscola), son Brian (Donna) with whom he resided, daughters Karen Hewitt (Jason) of Middle River, MD, and Susan Stiles (Rob Kling) of Bucksport, ME.  He had 8 grandchildren, Caitlyn Mills (Derek MacPherson) of Worcester, MA, Dylan Mills (Brooke) of Woodstown, NJ, Nathan Hewitt of Sherwood, AR, Kirstin Hewitt (Travis Walker) of Harrisburg, OR, Megan Bustamante (Carlos) of Bryant, AR, Emily Hewitt of Wilsonville, OR, Davina Kulikowski (Scott) of Swanville, ME, and Johanna Stiles of Swanville, ME.  He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren, Hayden and Raelynn MacPherson, Brady Mills, Layla and Amelia Bustamante, and Layken Kulikowski.  Also left to cherish his memory are sister Pam Takki (John) of Pembroke, MA, brother Charles (Kathie) of Beaufort, SC, and sister Norma Mills of Pendleton, OR, along several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, July 8, 2024 from 10:00am to 12:00pm, followed by funeral services at 12pm at DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Legion Charities, which Dougie supported wholeheartedly.