Thomas H. Miller Sr., 83, union chief

Thomas H. Miller Sr., 83, of Roxborough, former president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council who lobbied for workers' rights, died of a heart attack Sunday in Harrisburg, where he was visiting a friend.

As president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council from 1983 to 1994, Mr. Miller represented 100,000 carpenters, bricklayers, and other trade workers. He was elected secretary of that organization in 1965. During his 30 years as a labor leader, he earned a reputation as a fair and honest mediator and lobbyist.

Mr. Miller also was the business agent for the Lathers Union in the 1950s and held office in the early 1960s in the Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers International Union Local 492, which eventually became the Carpenters Union.

"My father earned the trust of Democratic and Republican governors, senators and representatives," said son Thomas Jr. "He was a player who was on a first-name basis with top politicians. He met Presidents Carter, Reagan and Clinton."

Born in 1924, Mr. Miller grew up in East Falls. He played varsity baseball, basketball and soccer at Germantown High School, Class of 1942.

Mr. Miller enlisted in the Navy when World War II started and was a motor machinist's mate on the submarine USS Spadefish.

"He told us what it was like to be in a submarine dodging mines in the Pacific, Sea of Japan and China Sea," son Robert said.

Mr. Miller was discharged in 1945. "He gained 50 pounds in the Navy," Robert Miller said. "I guess they fed them well in that submarine."

Mr. Miller played semipro baseball and soccer. "He tried out for the Phillies," Robert Miller said. "He didn't make it." Later in life, he was an avid golfer at the Hershey Country Club.

Mr. Miller began his association with the building trades in 1947 when he worked in the postwar building boom as a lather. He married Laura Mae South in 1948 and the couple raised three children in Roxborough. She died in 1983.

In addition to his sons, Mr. Miller is survived by a daughter, Diane Kearns, and a grandson.

Friends may visit at 7 tonight at Koller Funeral Home, 6835 Ridge Ave. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Ridge Avenue and Cathedral Road. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Cemetery.

Donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123-1718.