81.4 F
Cruz Bay
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesFORMER LT. GOV. HENRY A. MILLIN, 80, IS DEAD

FORMER LT. GOV. HENRY A. MILLIN, 80, IS DEAD

Feb. 4, 2004 – The death of former Lt. Gov. Henry A. Millin on Wednesday at the age of 80 prompted an outpouring of condolences from the territory's public figures.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull directed that flags be flown at half staff until sunset on the day of interment. Plans for services are to be announced.
"The territory mourns a distinguished native son who gave unselfishly of his time, energy and talents to improve the quality of life for many Virgin Islanders during his public service career," the governor said in a release. "He championed th cause for providing safe, comfortable and clean public housing accommodations for residents of this territory."
The 24th Legislature in 2001 honored Millin for his service and contributions to the V.I. Housing Authority, where he served as executive director for a number of years, and to the people of the Virgin Islands.
Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone called Millin "one of my role models," describing him as "a notable public figure who exemplified decency, proficiency and good character."
Malone recalled that his mother had worked for Millin when he was senior vice president of the former Virgin Islands National Bank.
And he noted that Millin while serving as VIHA executive director oversaw the construction of Oswald Harris Court on St. Thomas and the Ralph De Chabert Project and Ludwig E. Harrigan Court on St. Croix. Millin received a letter of commendation from President Kennedy in the early 1960s "for administering one of the best operations out of the 1,300 housing authorities in the nation," Malone noted.
Millin "was very instrumental in improving the social and living conditions of thousands of Virgin Islanders, for which many of us will be forever grateful," Malone said.
St. Thomas-Water Island administrator James O'Bryan Jr., extending condolences to Millin's family and friends in his capacity as chair of the V.I. Democratic Party, said Millin was a "trusted friend and mentor who taught me the merits of being honest and straightforward in the conduct of public duties. He was a man of tremendous integrity who served the people of the Virgin Islands with great distinction."
O'Bryan recalled that Millin recruited him straight out of college in 1978 to become campaign manager for the ticket of Juan Luis and Henry Millin in that year's gubernatorial race. O'Bryan went on to serve as political and public relations assistant to Millin during his tenure as the territory's third elected lieutenant governor, and to manage his unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1982.
Sen. Roosevelt David, like Millin a banker at one point in his career, described him as a man who "gave his service without prejudice and would never accept credit for his kindness. He was a true American leader who balked at the thought of luxuries for public officials, for he represented the community as a civil servant."
Millin, a St. Thomas resident, had been in failing health for several years, according to the Government House release.
He was born on St. Thomas on March 17, 1923, the sone of Allan and Lucinda Sewer Millin. His mother was a onetime V.I. senator for whom the Lucinda Millin Home for the Aged on St. Thomas is named.
As a young man, he held accountant positions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Marine Corps and served as chief clerk in the V.I. Tax Assessor's Office and the old Police and Prison Department.
He was named to the Housing Authority board in 1950 and later became its executive director. He worked for a time with The West Indian Co. and in 1965 joined the mortgage department of V.I. National Bank, where he advanced to become senior vice president. He was holding that position at First Pennsylvania Bank, which had acquired V.I. National Bank, in January 1978 when he was appointed lieutenant governor, succeeding Juan Luis, who became governor upon the death in office of Gov. Cyril E. King. That fall, Luis and Millin were elected to a full four-year term.
After leaving office in 1983 following his unsuccessful run for governor, he operated his own real-estate appraisal business for more than a decade until retiring.
Active in the community, Millin was a member of Rotary Club of St. Thomas and served two terms as president of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce.
He was married to Graciela G. Millin and was the father of five children — Henry, Ines, Janette, Juliette and Leslie.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.