Obituary of Cornelius James Milliken III DDS

Cornelius James "Neil" Milliken III DDS died on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 42 years, Kathryn Davis Milliken, and four children: Kathryn Ann of Brooklyn, NY, Cornelius J. "Ned" IV of Elmira, NY, Mary Elizabeth of Ithaca, NY, and Ann Macdonell of Buffalo, NY. Born in Elmira, NY in 1954, Neil attended Corning Community College and the University of Scranton. After graduating Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1982, he returned to his hometown and opened his practice in 1985. He was deeply devoted to community service and giving back to the community he loved. He proudly served as a member of the Notre Dame Board of Governors, the Holy Family School Board (President), the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Council (President), and the Corning Community College Board of Trustees (Chairperson). In 2012, he was appointed to fulfill his father's term on the Chemung County Legislature and was subsequently elected as a legislator serving the 7th district. At the time of his death, he had been elected to and was serving as the Town of Elmira Board Supervisor. Neil was a philanthropist and constantly gave to causes he valued. His favorite charities included Corning Community College, Holy Family Schools, Arnot Art Museum, The Chemung County Historical Society, and The Clemens Center. Also surviving him are his siblings and in-laws: Mary Coleman of Victor, NY, Clare Milliken of Elmira, NY, Ann and Scot Gerould of Elmira, NY, Thomas and Ellen Milliken of Elmira, NY, Eileen and Brian Beiter of Fairport, NY, Jean and David Sabol of Amherst, NY, Patrick Reidy of Saratoga Springs, NY, Thomas Davis of Tampa, FL, and John and Deborah Milliken of Irvine, CA. His beloved and loving nephews and nieces who survive him are: Bobby (Kim) Coleman, Joe (Meagan) Coleman, John Reidy (Kass), Elizabeth Reidy (Zack), Ellen Reidy, Thomas Milliken Jr. (Sarah), Maureen Milliken, Paul Milliken, Pat Milliken, Margaret Beiter, Matt Beiter, David Sabol Jr., Thomas (Leah) Bombarger, Hannah (Dave) Mayer and Jordan (Carla) Davis. He was predeceased by his parents, Cornelius J. "Connie" Milliken, Jr. and Jean Macdonell Milliken as well as his wife's parents, Robert Lighthall Davis and Ann Chapman Davis, his niece Margaret Bombarger, and his dear friend and brother-in-law, Robert P. Coleman, Jr. Due to covid restrictions, a family only Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Neil on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 12:00 noon at Ss. Peter and Paul Church. A live stream of the Mass will be available on You Tube…bit.ly/MillikenMemorial If you wish to honor Neil, please give to one of his favorite charities, your own favorite charity in his name, or plant a tree in his memory.