Former Haverhill Fire Lt. Steve L. Mills, 76

steve_millsFormer Haverhill Fire Lt. Steve L. Mills, 76, of Hampstead, N.H., husband of Linda R. (Picard) Mills, passed away December 27, 2016 at Wingate Nursing Home in Haverhill surrounded by his loving family.

Mills was employed by the City of Haverhill as a lieutenant in the Haverhill Fire Department for 34 years.

Born in Columbia, La., he was the son of the late Mick and Eunice (Lacroix) Mills. He was raised and educated in Louisiana. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1957 until 1961, and was honorably discharged. He then enlisted in the United States Army serving from 1961 until 1964 and was honorably discharged. He was especially proud of his son Jeffrey for serving in the U.S. Army and retiring from the military. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, fishing, walking in the woods, spending time at the beach and reading. He loved to pan for gold, play cards and watch the children play softball, lacrosse, field hockey, karate, dance lessons and recitals. One of his greatest joys was watching high school football. He was proud of his daughter Michelle for achieving a perfect score on the academic decathlon team at Haverhill High School and obtaining her master’s in biochemistry. Mills was an original founder of the Haverhill Touchdown Club, a member of Merrimac Lodge for 50 years and the Hampstead Conservation Commission. He was also a member of the Hampstead Congregational Church and the Haverhill Firefighters Relief Association.

In addition to his wife Linda, he is survived by his children, Jeffrey S. Mills and his wife Sheila of Glennville, Ga., and Michelle L. Wunderlich and her husband Marc of Haverhill; siblings, Charles Mills and his wife Kathryn of Jena, La., Mickey Mills and his wife Wanda of Jonesville, La., LaVerle McIntyre and her husband Van Dale of Vidalia, La., Loried Crain of Grayson, La., Irene Elliott and her husband Norris of Jena, La., LaVerne Hopkins of Cullman, Ala; five grandchildren, Jeffrey S. Mills Jr., Jacob Mills, Harlee Mills, Wyatt Wunderlich and Georgia Wunderlich; great grandchild, Jayden Mills; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Clifford Mills, Buford Mills, Brian Mills and Dorothy Rushing.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours Tuesday, Jan. 3, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Funeral services are Wednesday, Jan. 4, in the funeral home, at 10 a.m. Burial follows at Linwood Cemetery, John Ward Avenue, Haverhill. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Haverhill Touchdown Club, P. O. Box 5292, Bradford, MA 01835.