A Belated Funeral Notice

I was out walking the other day and as is my wont, I was stopping to pick up a few returnables. I am, I should say, pretty wimpy about it. If I have to walk through mud or water, or if it's dirty or been there awhile the can or bottle is staying for someone else or the forces of nature to take care of. I'm only a cheap bastard to a point. Anyway, the most interesting person I've ever met came to mind. Don't know if Reader's Digest still runs that, but they do, Lawrence is mine. Been meaning to make a copy of his obit for some time now and had neglected it. Some people do grave rubbings, I collect obits of people I know. So, courtesy of the Glens Falls Post Star:


QUEENSBURY - Lawrence "June" Millington Jr., 65, of Queensbury, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, at Albany Medical Center. He was born April 6, 1946 in Niskayuna, the son of the late Lawrence and Nancy Estella (Williams) Millington.

June, who was autistic, lived on his own, and was very proud of that fact. He loved spending hours listening to music, looking over maps, watching movies, sports, and doing word search puzzles. Some of his favorite games were Yahtzee, Scrabble and Dominoes, which he was able to play at the East Side Center on Maple Street since it was originally founded in 1985. He was well known for collecting bottles, which was one of his hobbies and just for the last 19 years alone, June collected approximately 3.8 million bottles off the streets of the Queensbury area, which would go around the world at least once.

One of June's favorite sayings was, "here is just a funny story to share with you." He was able to tell you what day of the week you were born on, when you told him your birthday and he never forgot a birthday or your name. Then he could proceed to tell you other famous people that were born on the same day as you, what record was released on the day, or actor played in a movie that was playing during that time period, or how many different songs your name was in and sung by what artist. His knowledge base in the entertainment genre alone was mind boggling. And he could bring up all that information faster than you could google it.

Survivors include his sister, Sally Wallace of Chestertown; his brother, Paul Millington and his wife, Irene, of Fort Ann; eight nephews and nieces; and seven grandnephew and nieces.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at the Singleton-Healy Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury. Burial will follow in Jonesville Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., today (Monday, Nov. 21, 2011), at the funeral home.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to his two case workers, Lori and Belinda from the East Side Center. Also special thanks goes out to the excellent care from Diana and Karla at Albany Medical Center.

Those who wish may make online condolences by visiting www.sbfuneralhome.com.

I think it was the first time I met him that he asked me when I was born and then proceeded to tell me that it was on a Tuesday. So, to him, I was then a green-eyed Tuesday's child. I wouldn't be surprised if he knew the exact number of cans and bottles he had picked up. Not mentioned in the obit is that he also could tell you the zip code of any town in NY and knew all the route numbers as well.

Hope you're in a good place Lawrence.