DURHAM — After meeting with a cardiologist in January to discuss his pneumonia diagnosis and treatment, Randy Miller stood up to shake his doctor’s hand. Seconds later he had a massive heart attack.
Thus began a long road of health and heart problems for Miller, 67, who has been a member of the Durham community for decades, operating Randy’s Auto Repair in the 1970s and ’90s and now Miller Family Farm. His family is hosting a benefit dinner and silent auction Friday night at the Durham Amvets Post and running a GoFundMe campaign to help fund a stair lift and other modifications to his home to help him remain comfortable.
After his heart attack and a bout with pneumonia, Miller was in the hospital for two weeks, dealing with heart and kidney issues.
Then there was more bad news.
“That there is nothing they can do any more for his heart because the damage is too extensive,” his daughter, Jen Burton said. “If they do emergency surgery he would not survive due to too much strain on his heart. Right now he is in high maintenance care and that is where he will be.”
His care is managed with diet, medication, a new team of doctors and extensive physical and occupational therapy. Hopefully, her father, who she said has done so much for so many people, will still be with them for some time yet.
“He was always there to pull someone out of the ditch in a storm, make a house call if you needed your car fixed or hauled or just needed help doing anything,” she said. “His needs always came last, be it family, friends or foe.”
Miller, an Army National Guard veteran, loves fishing, racing and the Red Sox, Burton said. He raised his five children with a “family first” mentality, and now they are trying to give back to him.
Miller is still living at home, but needs a stair lift to be able to get around. The chimney also needs to be rebuilt because it lets a lot of smoke in the house, which is taxing for Miller’s lungs.
Wednesday, the Patriot Riders of America Maine Chapter 2 donated and installed a ramp in the home. “It’s been overwhelming,” Burton said.
With a fundraising goal of $12,000, Burton said they have raised about $2,100 through the GoFundMe campaign. They received a $5,000 grant through Alpha One, and with the benefit dinner and auction, she is hopeful they will pull through.
Accepting help has not been easy for Miller, described as proud and strong-willed. Born and raised in Durham, Burton said she hopes the town can give back to a community member who has always taken care of others.
The spaghetti benefit dinner is 5-6:30 p.m. Friday at 1049 Royalsborough Road, Durham. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids and veterans.
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