Shrewsbury Nurseries Worker Dies

Thomas J. 'T.J.' Miller, died Tuesday, Jan. 24 at UMass Memorial Center, University Campus. He was 62.

Miller was born on June 17, 1949 in Lawrence, son of Everett and Catherine Miller. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1967 where he was co-captain of the football team. He graduated from the carpentry program at Worcester Industrial Technical Institute. He swam competitively at the YMCA. At the age of 14 he took a job at the former Shrewsbury Nurseries on Route 9 in Shrewsbury and worked at the company for over 40 years.

He became a son, brother and uncle to the Lebeaux family who owned the nursery where he was a constant and steady force. With his tremendously outgoing and friendly nature, T.J. was a fiercely loyal and devoted friend to many, always ready to willingly lend a hand in any way. He celebrated life to the fullest.

Early on he met Kimberly J. Ludwick and though life took them on different paths they reunited years later and married on Oct. 29, 2002.

In addition to his wife, Kim, he leaves his step-children, Michael J. Calabrese and his wife, Lauren, of Framingham and their son Carter, Lori M. Calabrese and her fiancé, Pat Connor, of Newport Beach, California, his mother-in-law, Patricia J. (Bence) Ludwick of Walpole, brother-in-law, Robert M. Ludwick of Natick, sister-in-law, Karen Locke and her husband, Robert, of Walpole, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember T.J's life by gathering for calling hours in Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Rd., On the Common, Shrewsbury Center on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday, Feb. 1 where his funeral service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

Honor T.J's memory with a contribution to The Jimmy Fund—Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02884. To view TJ's online tribute, share a memory or offer a condolence please visit Heald & Chiampa's website.