Reds McMillan, Student Mentoring Program Founder, Dies

Edward "Reds" McMillan died Friday afternoon at the Hospice at Middlesex Hospital after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Many in the community knew Reds McMillan better than I, though I was his son-in-law.

I met him ten years ago when I met my wife Lucy.  He was a already an established force in his adopted hometown of Middletown by then.

Born in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, he spent most of his youth growing up near Philadelphia.  As his short term memory slipped, I often heard him talk about the days of his youth that were clearer to him, when he played baseball and football in suburban Philly schools, and about when he taught the classics there after he graduated from Princeton.

Reds was always an athlete.  He played baseball at Princeton, and was offered a major league tryout.  He coached baseball here in town.  He played tennis until Alzheimer's robbed him of his ability to keep score.  He ran windsprints on the football field at Wesleyan to stay in shape.  And when Alzheimer's prevented him from driving, he rode his three-speed bike all over town.

Reds ran a company over the bridge in Portland, but he poured his heart and soul into Middletown.  He started a student mentoring program which continues to this day.  In fact, three of his grateful mentees visited his bedside in recent days to express their gratitude for Reds' attention.

Reds served three terms on the Board of Education, and from what I've heard, he fought hard to make sure that all the children in Middletown were given the attention they deserved.  Several years ago he, and his wife Jane, were named Citizens of the Year by the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce.

Reds loved to debate, and he was brilliant at it.  Dinner at the McMillan's could startle a newcomer to the table who would find that heated political arguments were followed by hugs all around, and bowls of Ben and Jerry's ice cream (something Reds loved almost as much as sandwiches from Neon Deli).  Reds loved his entire family, and it was normal to end Thanksgiving dinners singing the Princeton fight song, and old Irish standards with brothers and nephews and grandchildren harmonizing.

The last few years have been tough on Reds, and tough on his family.  Alzheimer's is a cruel disease which eventually steals an individual's personhood.  It was difficult to see such a brilliant mind ravaged by the disease.

But as Reds moved into Hospice, and it became known around town that his days were numbered, I heard dozens of stories about how he helped inspire those around him.  He has left a legacy of good works, friendship, guidance and love.

Reds leaves behind a family he has inspired to do good for their families and their communities, and an extended family of friends who understand through his example, that you need to give of yourself, and your good fortune, to help those who need it.