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On Aug. 12, former long-time Maine Central Railroad President E. Spencer Miller — who fought to keep the road independent for decades — died in Scarborough, Maine. He was 97.

In 1937, Miller joined the legal staff of the Boston and Maine Railroad. Three years later, he became general attorney for Maine Central. After stints as general counsel, vice president, and first vice president and director, Miller was named president of Maine Central and its subsidiaries in 1952. He held the position until January 1978 — the longest Class I president stint at the time.

Miller continued to serve as chairman until 1981, when he retired. He later served as a consultant to Maine Central and Ashland Oil Co. Miller also served several terms as director of the Association of American Railroads and member of the National Railroad Labor Conference.

For more than 30 years, he successfully resisted take-over attempts to combine Maine Central with other railroads. After Miller’s retirement, Maine Central became a part of the Guilford Rail System.

An avid outdoorsman and Boston Red Sox fan — he rarely missed a game — Miller enjoyed vegetable gardening and reading.

Miller was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Juanita, and his son Edward. He is survived by a son and daughter. A funeral will be held Sept. 29 at the State Street Congregational Church in Portland, Maine.