MICHAEL DEAN MILLS, age 77, of Derby, VT, passed away at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Friday, June 27, 2025, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Mike was born August 26, 1947, in Lancaster, NH. He was the son of Frederick "Fred" Mills and Margaret "Peggy" (Tillotson) Mills. Mike grew up in Groveton, graduating from Groveton High School class of 1965. He was one of a group of 5 students at GHS that was gifted at Math, which resulted in the first Calculus class ever offered at the high school.

After High School, he went on to get his Mechanical Engineering Degree from New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, NH. He also played on their baseball team. He was part of the very first graduating class of the school in 1967. Immediately following College, he was recruited by the Phone Company to join their Field Engineering Team. He continued with the same job, through several different company names, an antitrust breakup, and several acquisitions, through his entire working career, an accomplishment that made him proud, because that is what Uncle Dean had done. He returned to his hometown of Groveton, NH, in 1979. Mike retired early at age 46 and became a snowbird, splitting his time between Holly Hill, FL, and Northern NH and VT. Mike lost his wife Ruth Hutchinson Mills in 2010, after her battle with cancer. He married Mary Lou Hood Mills in 2013. Mike and Mary Lou were inseparable and were often spotted at area race tracks. They spent lots of time with family, on both sides, and just enjoyed their time.

Throughout his life, his passion was racing. An interest that was sparked by his Father, a very successful short track racer all over the Northeast. Mike's passion was fabricating and setting up race cars. Most Racers were wise and would use his suggestions for making their cars better. He was proud of his multiple wins and championship years as a Crew Chief. The few years that he wasn't a Crew Chief, he was the Race Director at Riverside Speedway, Groveton, NH. Racing was in his blood, and he passed that along to his children. He was inaugurated into the Riverside Speedway Hall of Fame in 2017 for his accomplishments and contributions to the Race Track that he called home. Along with this, he was also a member of the North East Antique Racers, building a replica of his Father's Iconic Ford Coupe that he raced in the 1960s. This car was his pride and joy, and he loved showing it off at Northeastern Speedway and Riverside Speedway.

Besides racing, Mike was a dedicated Boston Red Sox fan, rarely missing the chance to watch a game. He loved listening to music. He loved to fish, and always looked forward to the annual Maine fishing trip with his extended family, which always included the competition between the old timers and the young bucks with lots of shenanigans and sabotage. He also loved watching Groveton Basketball. Mike will always be known as the man who would lend an ear, lend a hand, and share his knowledge with anybody who needed it. He knew a lot of people in Northern NH and VT, who were always happy to see him. He would always greet people with a smile. He was the biggest lover of animals, wild and domestic.

Mike leaves behind his wife, Mary Lou Mills, of Derby, VT. Their children: Mike Mills and wife Toni of Moultonborough, NH, Carl Sheperd and wife Monique of North Troy, Michelle Mills Sargent and husband Jamie of Paisley, FL, Steve Mills and wife Francine of York, SC, Dawn Burdick and husband Robbie of Newport, VT. Their Grandchildren; Christina Bertolini, Newport, VT, Stephen Desautels, York, SC, Tyler Mills, Hico, TX, Jamie Sargent, Stephenville, TX, Tabitha Bertolini, Newport, VT, Jeremiah Sargent, Deltona, FL, Gwyneth Sheperd, Lyndonville, VT, Matthew Mills, Concord, NH, Elizabeth Mills Pittsfield, ME, Isabelle Gauthier, York, SC, Karli Sheperd, Wheelock, VT, Cloe Sheperd, North Troy, VT. Their Great Grandchild, Ryleigh Mills, Hico, TX. His Sister Kathleen Mills Frizzell and husband Leon of Champaign, IL, Brian Frizzell and his wife Tracy, Hinsdale, IL. His lifelong Best Friend, Dave Goulet, and his partner, Camille Ulrich, Bushnell, FL. He also leaves behind a countless number of Family and Friends.

He is predeceased by his grandson, Ayden Gauthier, and his sister Patricia "Patty" Mills DiPrete.

A graveside service will be held at Northumberland Cemetery, 328 Lancaster Rd, Groveton, NH, on Friday, July 18 at 10 AM. A celebration of life will be held at the Bushey residence, Stone Dr, Stark, NH on Saturday, July 19 at 2 PM. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Armstrong-Charron Funeral Home in Groveton.

For directions to the service or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.armstrongcharronfuneralhome.com