A. Anthony Miller, a reporter with Long Islander Newspapers and editor of The Attorney of Nassau County, died Sunday, Oct. 31, at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx from brain cancer. He was 56.

Miller was born in New York City, the son of the late Frieda and Julius Miller. He was a longtime resident of West Hemsptead but was well known in communities throughout Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens where he worked for many years as a reporter and photographer with community-based weekly newspapers.

His career in the news business spanned several decades. His first newspaper story was done for the Roslyn News 40 years ago and he would later return to the community when, in 1988, he joined the staff of Mineola-based Long Island Community Newspapers. His five years at the newspaper chain included stints covering Roslyn, Glen Cove, Elmont and Franklin Square. Most recently he became well known in the town of Huntington when he joined the staff at Long Islander Newspapers, Inc.

"He loved to write. But mostly he loved getting breaking news and beating someone else to the story," said his wife of 11 years, Nannette Connors. He was also known as a stickler for details who always checked and rechecked his facts.

Most recently, Miller's news and sports beats brought him to communities in Huntington. Student athletes would often see him on the sidelines taking pictures for sports stories at Walt Whitman, Half Hollow Hills East and Cold Spring Harbor High Schools. Prior to his death, students and faculty at Walt Whitman High School dedicated their Homecoming celebration to Miller with wishes for a speedy recovery.

Along with his duties as a reporter for Long Islander Newspapers, Miller was the editor for The Attorney of Nassau County, a specialty publication for attorneys and judges.

His father, a criminal defense attorney, instilled in Anthony a lifelong love of the law, said his wife. "He loved the law," said Connors. "He spent a lot of time at the Hofstra law library to make sure that the facts were straight. He was well respected by many in the profession and he was appreciated by police departments in Nassau and Suffolk and as far as New York City for his efforts to promote their work."

"He was one of the most diligent and hard working reporters I ever had the privilege of working with," said Long Islander Newspapers publisher James Koutsis.

"He knew this business inside out," added managing editor Peter Sloggatt. "We relied on his experience, his exceptional memory and the persistence with which he pursued a story."

Fellow reporter and editor George Wallace called Miller "an exceptional colleague with a singular dedication to his role as a professional journalist. He was never afraid to tackle the most complex or controversial story, and his diligence at getting his questions answered was inspirational. Like many others who knew and respected his work, I will miss him."

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons: Kevin of West Hempstead and Brian of Pennsylvania; a daughter, Kara, of North Carolina; his step-children: James of Oklahoma, William of Montrose, New York, Julie A. of North Valley Stream, and Thomas of Florida; one grandchild, Matthew, and six-step-grandchildren: Nathan, Bridgette, Ryan, Christopher, Jennetta and Sean Connors.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Thomas The Apostle Church in West Hempstead with arrangements handled by the Kraus Funeral Home in Franklin Square.