Born and raised an only child near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, he watched the Brooklyn Dodgers play from outside the stadium (although he was and remained a lifelong Yankees fan), practiced playing Clair de Lune on a cardboard piano because his parents could afford the lessons but not the instrument, and grew up to become a Borscht Belt comedian, an entrepreneur, and the beloved father of five children, 6 grandchildren and two great grandchildren who adored him and who lit up his face with delight whenever he saw them.
He was known at different times and to different people as Dad, Skip, Bob, Bobby, Mr. Cutter-Upper (for slicing steak and other hard-to-cut foods for his young children), one of The Three Professors comedy trio, husband, boss, son and friend.
He was born on February 1st, 1931 to Lillian and David Miller. His mother, a bookkeeper, doted on her only child and baked the most delicious butter cookies on the planet (he had less kind things to say about her salmon croquettes). His father was a salesman and a dashing hat model, and was also born and raised in Brooklyn.
He sought his fame and fortune as a comedian, writing and performing comedy in the Catskill Mountains and touring around the country with his comedy trio in the late 1940s.
In a rehearsal hall in the early 1950s he met Lois Gordon, an aspiring actress new to New York, fell in love, and they married in 1955. In a tale confirmed by both parties, their first date took place at Coney Island, where he spelled out “I love you” in mustard on a hot dog. The marriage of these two only children lasted for 33 years and produced the large loving family that he leaves behind.
After leaving show business, he made his living in his own advertising and barter business, Miller Media, trading air time on radio and television for limousine services and other tradeable goods. He also dabbled in television production and wrote and directed commercials for Nat Sherman cigarettes and Hair Club for Men (“I’m not just the owner - I’m a customer!”).
He was also active for many years in charity work for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.
His greatest gift and joy aside from his family was to make people laugh, and well into his late 80s performed a set of jokes for an appreciative audience at a local synagogue.
He is survived by his five children - Shayna Gamedze of Tzfat, Israel, Nancy Reghay of Queens, Gordon Miller of Manhattan, Tracey Segarra of Hewlett, Long Island and Julie Miller of Queens, as well as six grandchildren, Nayomi Reghay, David Reghay, Jessica and Jay Segarra and Menachem and Shoshanna Gamedze, as well as two great-granddaughters, Eva and Raaya Reghay.
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