Ronald Albert Mills

Ronald Albert Mills of East Hartland, CT, was born on January 24, 1948, and passed on April 29, 2024, at home. He was the beloved son of Albert and Josephine Mills, and grew up in a loving family with strong Italian values. Ron had a paper route at a young age, enjoyed a close bond with his brother Ken, and spent memorable times with cousins next door growing up. He developed a strong sense of humor and was just fun to be around. He met his closest friend, Don Markure, when they were 12 years old, and continued to have an adventure-filled friendship that spanned a lifetime. They all grew up hunting, fishing, and exploring the woods together.  Ron played football at Plainville High School.Ron graduated from college at The Boston Institute for Art and was an accomplished artist displaying his drawings and Inuit-inspired stone carvings at local art galleries. His artwork portrayed realistic wildlife, fish, and Native Americans. Ron was a superior archer who won many competitions and even won Best in the New England Bare Bow (no release and no sights) competitions. He also received a rare special Great Shooter award from Art Hall.  

A big handsome man who looked like Grizzly Adams, he bought a cabin in the woods on a piece of land to create a better life for himself and his daughter Kim. There Ron built a homestead including a barn full of livestock, terraced vegetable gardens, fruit trees, Concord grape arbors, and a smokehouse for fish and cheese fueled with hand-chopped apple and mesquite woods.  He tapped the maple trees on his property to boil down into maple syrup.  Ron was a hard worker who harvested deer, chopped firewood and was a great provider. He and his close friends had unforgettable pig roasts every year.

Ron loved being outdoors and found peace being with nature either on the river or hunting in the woods. He loved to go on hunting trips as well as locally- moose and grouse in Maine, antelope in Colorado, whitetail in Vermont, mule deer in Cody, Wyoming, duck hunting, and annual Potter County deer trip with close friends.  Ron spent a lot of time fly fishing on the Farmington River with custom-made rods and flies tied by his father, Albert. He also spent time in Idaho and Wyoming fly fishing the South Fork of the Snake River and wading in the Teton River with family and friends. In addition to hunting and fishing, he spent many hours in freshly-tilled fields hunting and collecting arrowheads, tools, and artifacts, accumulating an amazing collection featuring items highly regarded by Connecticut State Archeologists. 

Later in life he found the love of his life, Erin in East Hartland and adored and loved her daughter, Tess like his own. Ron and Erin restored a 100+ year-old decrepit stone cabin in the woods. They built an amazing life together which included their dog adored Peyton, and cat Bert. They had a wood-fired outdoor pizza oven and hosted many delicious pizza parties that were enjoyed by all. Ron and Erin owned a hot dog truck and worked side-by-side developing recipes and dishes that created a huge fan following. They traveled together to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and to visit Ron’s daughter Kim in Idaho and Wyoming. Ron is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Josephine Mills of Plainville, CT. 

He is survived by his wife Erin Mills, her daughter Tess of East Hartland, his daughter Kimberly Myers (Jay Myers), and his grandson Dillon Myers of Victor, Idaho; his brother Kenneth Mills (Debby) of Bristol, CT, niece Amber Mills (Randy Armitage) of Bristol, CT, and nephew Brian Mills (Stephanie) of Burlington, CT, sisters in law Cindy (John Harrity) and Heather as well as many cousins and close friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, Ron would want everyone to spend more time in nature; on the river, in the woods and mountains, with the ones they love. A celebration of his life will be will be held Saturday June 8th, 11:00 am EDT at The Brewery at Maple View Farm 198R Salmon Brook St Granby CT 06035.