March 28, 2024

Riverside Icon Walter Miller Passes

Colorful Character Loved by Many

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Walter Miller died on May 28, 2022, at the age of 87. Miller was not only a Riverside icon but was known to many in the Providence Metro area. He became a close friend of the late former Providence Mayor, Buddy Cianci. Often during Cianci public appearances and political rallies, Walter Miller would be a Cianci guest of honor. Miller had a knack for making up songs on the fly - acapella - of course, and often sang rhyming verses to Cianci campaign crowds, to the former Mayor's delight. In addition to his regular perch around Riverside, Miller was an almost daily visitor to Providence City Hall during Cianci's time there.

Miller was especially fond of the Crescent Park carousel and would frequent it often during events. He would also be seen almost daily in the Riverside Square area where he would greet passersby with handmade flowers, a song and many of his card tricks that he was known for. When a long line formed at Cianci's wake service, Miller was there handing out his home made flowers to mourners.

Miller's friends have been visiting him recently during his illness and are sure to remember how Miller loved this time of year. He was an icon along the annual Memorial Day Parade in Riverside wearing his full patriotic colors, top hat and singing and passing out flowers to parade goers and marchers.

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