Leigh Martin Miller

SHARON — Leigh Martin Miller died peacefully in his Sharon home on Sept. 28, 2023, with his wife of 57 years, Lynden B. Miller, by his side. He is survived by Lynden, his sister, Virginia A. Lyman, his four sons and their spouses Christian (Pascale), Ethan (Eileen), Gifford (Pam) and Marshall (Gail), and his eight grandchildren: Anton, Annaick, Addison, Joshua, Marshall, Whitney, Ella, and Gracie. 

Leigh was born in Olympia, Washington on May 22, 1927, the oldest child of Martin Sylvester Miller and Elizabeth Weimar Miller, and brother of sisters Virginia and Elizabeth. Leigh graduated from Olympia High School where his father and mother were teachers. At the age of 17, he traveled 3,000 miles east and became the first student from his school to attend Yale University and Yale Law School, from which he graduated in 1948 and 1952 respectively. During this time period, he also served his country with the Navy in 1945 and the Army in Japan in 1952-1953. 

Upon returning from Japan, Leigh joined the law firm of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro in San Francisco where he practiced law. In 1961, Leigh began his career in public service when he joined the Kennedy Administration. As the Chief Congressional Liaison for the State Department, he was instrumental in the creation and funding of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He continued to work in the federal government under the Johnson Administration until 1968, when he moved to New York City and took a position as Deputy Superintendent of the NYS Banking Department. 

Leigh returned to the private sector at J. Henry Schroder Bank & Trust Company in 1970 before he moved to American Express where he became the President of the American Express Export Credit Corporation. After retiring from American Express in 1986, he continued to exercise corporate leadership on the international level as Chair of the International Science and Technology Institute where he advised foreign governments, including helping Sri Lanka to establish its first stock market.

Leigh also spent decades working with non-profit organizations and local government in the city that he loved. He served as secretary of his local Community Board in East Harlem for 25 years and served on or chaired the boards of Planned Parenthood of New York City, South Forty Corporation (which later merged with the Osborne Association) and the New York Public Library, among others. He also served as advisor, business manager, and tireless cheerleader for the extraordinary public garden design career of his wife, Lynden, and was a vigorous advocate and volunteer for the City Council campaigns of his son Gifford. He believed deeply in public service, helping others, and living a life of generosity and kindness. 

In addition to all of his life and career accomplishments, Leigh will be remembered for his love of family and friends, his youthful spirit, and his lasting, limitless belief that the glass was half-full and never half-empty.

Information about a memorial service to be held in the next several months will be forthcoming. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of New York City or the Osborne Association. ​

The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.