Harry “Kenny” Milner, a resident of Wyndmoor, died March 6, 2021, two months before his 101st Birthday. Kenny was born May 6, 1920, in Philadelphia, to Caroline and Charles Milner. He attended Frankford High School and joined his older brothers, Charlie and Bill, and his sister, Kay, in the WW2 war effort. He served as a US Army Medic from February 1943 to February 1946, and demobilized with a rank of Master Sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He remained in the Army Reserve through 1964 when he transferred to the Air Force Reserve until retirement in 1980. He was active in The American Legion Post 754, Rhawnhurst, and was an honorary member of the Arthur V. Savage Post 100, Wyndmoor.
Kenny married Vivian Tamulis in 1947. In 1951, they had a daughter, Maureen (Alex,) and built a home in the Rhawnhurst section of Philadelphia. Kenny worked for Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania. Affectionately known as “Harry” to fellow Bell employees, he chaired the Bell Employees Eastern Recreational Alliance and volunteered with The Telephone Company Pioneers.
He played neighborhood softball and enjoyed building and remodeling projects. A life-long Philadelphia Eagles supporter, he was one of the few fans who remembered the Eagles’ at Franklin Field. He loved the Mummers and “marched” in the Comics Brigade with Vivian’s extended family for decades.
Kenny and Vivian traveled the world with life-long friends, Ann and Richard Werchan. Kenny had a special relationship with Ann’s multi-generational family in Warrington, England. In Port Norris, New Jersey, Kenny and Richard transformed undeveloped land into a fantasy retirement compound. Always happiest when surrounded by friends, Kenny joked he was retired longer than he worked and was busy enjoying a second career of traveling and entertaining.
Kenny and Vivian moved to Wyndmoor in 2009 to be closer to their daughter and her spouse, Kathryn. They made new friends with the wonderful neighbors on Hull Drive, joined Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, the Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, and attended special events at The Center on the Hill. Kenny volunteered for Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels and delivered meals every Friday with his daughter. Eventually, Kenny and Vivian became clients of Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels and happily anticipated their weekly visits with the Tuesday and Thursday delivery volunteers.
Into his mid-90’s Kenny traveled many times to visit friends in Texas, Virginia, England, and even Disney World. At the tender age of 99, Kenny visited Faro, Portugal, and Manchester, England. His 100th Birthday, in May 2020, was celebrated COVID-style from his front porch with neighbors and friends gathered in the driveway to share cupcakes and dance to music provided by a DJ neighbor. Cars passed with homemade congratulatory posters and the Springfield Township Fire and Police vehicles paraded down the street with flashing lights.
Although Vivian died in 2018, Kenny never lost his delight in every day’s adventure. He remained intensely involved with friends, walked the Hull Drive neighborhood with hiking poles, insisted on cutting the grass, and was always ready to go out for lunch. He will never be forgotten by anyone who knew him.
His funeral service at Saint Paul’s Church, Chestnut Hill, will be private. Post-pandemic
his daughter, Maureen Alexander of Wyndmoor, and her spouse, Kathryn Doyle, Kathryn’s sons, Jamie Leary of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kiaran Leary and his wife, Jen Daku, of Wyndmoor, will organize a Celebration of Remembrance for family, friends and neighbors. A memorial fund in Kenny’s memory has been set up at Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels, 1710 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031.
