With deep sorrow the Mills family announces the passing of Ira R. Mills. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and fondly remembered for his character, integrity, and numerous achievements.
Ira was born on July 18, 1949, in St. Kitts, West Indies the fifth child of Bruce Mills and Eulalie ‘May’ Mills. He and his six siblings were raised in Sandy Point, St. Kitts. He attended the Sandy Point Boys School, and the Basseterre Grammar High School
Ira enjoyed Sports and participated in many Sports Day events in High School. He learned a great deal from his father and was skilled in many areas such as grafting plants, hunting, and fishing.
Early in life Ira knew that he wanted to make a difference in others’ daily lives thru educating and equipping youngsters with the tools needed to make their hopes and dreams a reality. He fulfilled this dream in part by teaching at the Sandy Point High School. In 1971, having relocated to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Ira worked as an associate at the Bank of Nova Scotia. While working, he attended the College of the Virgin Islands (CVI). Ira graduated from CVI after completing the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then went on to pursue advanced studies at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio earning a master’s degree in business administration.
Ira was a dedicated public servant; he worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands for the vast majority of his career. Beginning in 1976 he began working for the Government of the Virgin Islands and served with excellence in several departments. He began with Office of Management and Budget (OMB), University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and in OMB again, this time as Budget Director. Following his position as Director, Ira served in the VI Housing Authority Department, and in 2011 signed on with the Office of Lieutenant Governor until his untimely passing.
Ira’s took a great deal of pride in his work and experienced joy and satisfaction in doing work that he loved. An achievement which he and his team worked on tirelessly was the streamlining of the Real Estate Tax system. This resulted in a more user-friendly application that homeowner’s access to view their tax information and pay their bills. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and felt each day was a Blessing and an opportunity to learn something new and brighten someone’s day.
His love for his children, grandson, siblings and extended family was evident in the way that he nourished these precious relationships. We, his family will remember Ira for his tenacity, resilience, outgoing nature, and thoroughness when he tackled all manner of projects around the home. He was a loving and sensitive man whose smile always brightened up a room. Even during his illness, Ira never lost his sense of humor or his upbeat spirit. He will be missed by his family, co-workers, friends, and many in the community whose lives he touched.
Ira loved God and his Faith in Christ sustained him particularly during the last months of his life. He was a devoted member of the Wesley Methodist Church in Annas Retreat, St. Thomas. Until his departure to Boston for medical treatment, he served as a steward and was a member of the Men’s Fellowship choir.
Family, Friends, and others whose lives Ira touched are invited to the First Viewing at the Celestial Chapel of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals from 5-7 pm on Friday, February 28, 2025.
Join the celebration of Ira’s life the following day at the funeral held at Wesley Methodist Church located at 147 Anna’s Retreat on St. Thomas. The church phone number is 340.775.1293. A brief viewing will be held from 9 am followed by the service at 10 am and then burial at 12 noon in the Western Cemetery (#2, Altona).
Those whom Ira leaves to mourn include his children: Nijo Mills, Brian I. Mills, Ryan Mills, and Macy C. Mills, as well as his grandchild, Nicholas Bennet. His siblings, nieces, and nephews, also mourn. They include:
- Blanche K. Mills and her children, Paula Mills-Warner and Natasha Mills
- Ted Mills and his children, Denise Mills, Bridgette Mills-Moore, and Angie Mills-Petty
- Frank Mills and his wife, Lauritz Mills, along with their daughter, Tanisha N. Mills
- Phillip Mills and his wife, Eugenia Mills, and their daughter, Tamara Mills-Wyrick
- Pearlina Mills and her son, Phillip Mills
- Milton Mills and his wife, Jana Ettienne-Mills, along with their children, Janasa Austrie and Jamaya Mills
Arrangements are under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Centers of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.
For directions and online condolences, please visit, www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com
