Mark Miller, my friend and a huge fan and friend of Denver’s restaurant community, died Sunday after a lengthy illness. He was 82.
Mark, husband of author, TV and radio personality Pat “Gabby Gourmet” Miller, was the power behind the throne. As Gabby’s chief of staff, Mark ran the business of being The Gabby Gourmet.
There was no better friend to the local restaurant community. Mark was both revered for his gentle gentleman persona and feared for his fierce advertising sales prowess.
Until his long-time battle with Parkinson’s disease slowed him down, Mark was Pat’s willing and charming companion at her side for every appearance, radio show and out-of-town event.
My husband and I will forever remember our dinner dates with Mark and Pat primarily at Shells and Sauce, a favorite of the four of us. The staff was intimately aware of Mark’s declining mobility, and carved a path to a table with room for his walker.
Pat and Mark were a fixture in Denver’s restaurant scene. Matt Selby, former chef at Vesta Dipping Grill who now runs the kitchen at Central Bistro + Bar, posted his remembrance of Mark on Facebook:
“Mark Miller…tough, humble, genuine. Thank you for being you, and for in many ways, teaching me to be those things through my cooking adolescence. You were a silent roll model, and I never thanked you for that.”
Mark Miller is survived by his wife, Pat Miller; son of the late Jacob and Rose Miller; father of Steven and daughter-in-law Carol Miller and John Miller, PhD; brother to Leiba Alpert; grandfather to Joey and Hannah Miller.
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. today at Mt. Nebo Memorial Park. Contributions can be made to Denver Hospice or Parkinson’s Foundation.
I will sorely miss you, my friend.
Mark Miller, right with restaurateur Ed Novak, was a fixture on the dining scene as the ever-present companion with his wife, Pat ‘The Gabby Gourmet’ Miller. Mark Miller died Sunday at age 82. (Gayle Novak photo)
Comments are closed.
Leave a comment