It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing Honorable Roger J. Miner, '56, Senior Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Judge Miner passed away peacefully at his Greenport, New York, home on February 18, 2012. The funeral arrangements for Judge Miner are through Bates and Anderson Funeral Home, Hudson, New York, (518) 828-3371. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, February 22 at 2 p.m. at Congregation Anshe Emeth, 240 Joslen Boulevard, Hudson, (518) 828-6848. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New York Law School and Congregation Anshe Emeth.
Judge Miner is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Jacqueline (Mariani) Miner, former Vice-Chairman of the New York State Republican Party, his sons Larry (Lisa) Miner, of Santa Monica, California, Ronald Carmichael, of Alexandria, Virginia, Ralph (Rose) Carmichael of Phoenix, Arizona, Mark (Robin) Miner, of Austin, Texas, his brother Lance (Maryellen) Miner, of Greenport, New York, his six grandchildren, Sydney Miner, Zachary Miner, Evan Miner, Joshua Miner, Clayton Carmichael, Ciana Carmichael, his nephew Aaron (Erin) Miner and niece Anne Miner.
Judge Miner graduated cum laude from New York Law School in 1956, and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York. He served in the U.S. Army in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps where he rose to the rank of captain. In 1959 he joined his father, Abram Miner, in private practice in Hudson, New York. From 1961 to 1964 he served as corporation counsel for the City of Hudson and Assistant District Attorney for Columbia County from 1964 to 1968. He served as District Attorney for Columbia County from 1968 to 1975.
In 1976, Judge Miner was elected New York State Supreme Court Justice for the Third Judicial Department. President Ronald Reagan appointed Judge Miner to United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in 1981 and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1985, where he has served since that time. In 1987, Judge Miner was one of three top candidates being considered for appointment for the United States Supreme Court.
Our thoughts are with the Miner family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Carol A. Buckler
Interim Dean