Former First Selectman Mills Remembered for Compassion, Loyality

Former Bethel First Selectman Edward J. Mills, died Monday, May 9 at Danbury Hospital at the age of 86. He was the husband of Geraldine F. (Downey) Mills.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at , Bethel, Friday morning at 10 a.m.

Born August 10, 1924, Mills, a Republican, was Bethel's First Selectman from 1982-84.

Michael Duff, a current town Board of Education member, was Bethel's Republican Town Committee Chairman while Mills was in office. Though always admiring Mills for his service during World War II, Duff said said he'll remember his good nature the most.

"Ed was a gentle, compassionate man who has extreme loyalty to his family and his country," Duff said.

While in office, Duff said Mills worked toward many things, including improving the building that currently houses the  on Grassy Plain Street.

Duff said, "The fact that he took a building in such disrepair and turned it into a useful building for now thousands of children was a wonderful thing."

The Mills family will receive friends at the , 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Thursday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. and in the evening from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Memorials in Mills' name may be made to the Stony Hill Ambulance Fund, 59 Stony Hill Rd., Bethel CT, 06801.