MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Eliot Miles Herter died at home on December 3, 2012, after a lengthy struggle with lung cancer. He was 83. Born in Boston on February 22, 1929, Miles was the son of the late Governor of Massachusetts, Christian A. Herter and Mary Caroline Pratt.
He spent his formative years in Boston and Millis and attended Dexter School, St. Paul’s School, and Harvard University. After short stints with Mobil Oil Company and Simplex Wire and Cable, Miles worked as an investment banker with F.S. Moseley and Company as well as Legg Mason until he retired.
Miles married Caroline Lee Bigelow in 1951 and settled in Manchester-by-the-Sea, where they raised their four children. Miles was active in the community. He was a long time Manchester Little League coach, on the Manchester personnel board, one of the founding trustees of Brookwood School, a supporter of the Manchester Youth Center, and a past president of the Essex County Club. However Miles’ true passion was his dedication to the prevention and treatment of addiction. He served on the boards of The Greater Boston Council on Alcoholism, Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) as well as the board of Northeast Behavioral Health (formerly known as CAB Health and Recovery Services), a non-profit organization that works with men, women and adolescents to treat and prevent substance abuse. In 2011, to honor his many years of service in this field, Northeast Health System established an endowed fund called “Go Miles for the Kids”.
Last March Miles was also recognized by the American Red Cross of Massachusetts with a “Community Hero Award” for his long-standing dedication to and advocacy for the prevention and the treatment of substance abuse and addiction on the North Shore. Recently Ken Hanover, president and CEO of Northeast Health Systems, said: “Our health care systems and our communities are fortunate to have benefited from Miles’ passion and dedication, and he has personally impacted thousands of lives through his tireless services to CAB and our hospitals. He is the epitome of community.”
Miles led his family with a kind and gentle spirit. He was adored by all his grandchildren. An outdoorsman and sportsman, Miles loved to play golf, fish, and work in the woods with his chainsaw in hand. He was a voracious reader and crossword puzzler. In recent years, nothing gave him more pleasure than following the activities and athletic careers of his grandchildren. In his classic understated manner, he was fiercely proud of each one of them.
Miles is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Lee Bigelow Herter; three sons, E. Miles Herter Jr. and his wife Penny of Amherst, David B. Herter and his wife, Lauren of Topsfield, Edward P. Herter and his wife, Nancy of Carlisle; and a daughter, Caroline Herter Winship and her husband, Ben of Victor, Idaho. Miles also leaves behind twelve grandchildren, three great-granddaughters; as well as a brother, Dr. Frederic P. Herter and his wife, Solonge of New York City; a sister, Adele Seronde of Sedona, Ariz., and Bernice Magee of Manchester, a devoted friend of the entire Herter family.
ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 705 Hale Street, in Beverly Farms, MA, at 11 a.m. on December 28. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either FCD Educational Services (398 Walnut St, Needham, MA 02460) or “Go Miles for the Kids” Fund at Northeast Behavioral Health (500 Cummings Ctr. Suite 6500, Beverly, MA 01915). Arrangements by the Campbell-Lee, Moody Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
