Sunday marked the six-year anniversary of the passing of beloved Council Rock educator Scott Mills. Scott tragically passed away at the age of 33 on July 2, 2017, at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, New Jersey after suffering a major heart attack while running a marathon to raise money for charity.
Scott is survived by his father Wayne, mother Barbara, and sister Jill.
A teacher, coach, and mentor, Scott was affectionately known as “Mills, Millsy, or Coach” by the many students he taught. He was born in Meadowbrook, grew up in Northampton Township’s Holland section, and attended Council Rock School District, graduating from Council Rock North High School in Newtown Township in 2001.
He then attended Penn State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and minors in political science and history. Scott dedicated his career and life to students, always having a presence inside and outside of the classroom and community.
His first career experience came substituting in Pennsbury School District before moving over to Council Rock School District full-time. In short order, Scott became a fixture at Holland Middle School in Northampton Township, where among other roles, he served as a teaching assistant and coach of basketball, field hockey, and softball.
Scott made a habit of always talking and joking around with his students, often calling them by playful nicknames. “Scott had a unique nickname for each student, and when those students would see him in the hallways, they would shout Mills! out of love for Scott,” said Scott’s father Wayne.
Scott took a great interest in watching, playing, and coaching sports. His favorite college basketball team was the Duke Blue Devils. He spent most of his summers as a camp counselor at the YMCA where he refereed basketball in addition to playing for a men’s league on Sunday mornings.
Scott was always available to students, athletes, or colleagues in need and on many occasions, went out of his way to help others. He would take long drives to help if one of his students was in crisis and even saved several people that were close to overdosing.
Scott had a selfless personality, always volunteering and making time for students and parents in need. Most of his days consisted of going into work at 7:30 a.m, teaching until 3:15, coaching sports until 5:30, and then tutoring kids until 9 at night.
On weekends, Scott regularly coached 6 basketball games for Holland Middle and Council Rock South. Council Rock Superintendent Dr. Andrew Sanko spoke very highly of Mr. Mills and his impact on others.
“Scott was an involved, engaged, and valued young man who was a member of the Council Rock family through and through. He was generous with his time and spirit and was always eager to help, especially when it came to supporting kids.”
“Scott was a coach, mentor, and volunteer who gave willingly to make the Council Rock community better, and he left behind a legacy of kindness and goodness that will never be forgotten.”
Council Rock School Board President Ed Salamon added, “Scott was my daughter’s softball coach at Holland Middle School, a genuinely good man.” Scott always had a heart for children and made it his life’s goal to help others. Many times, his students reciprocated that kindness right back to him.
On one occasion, Scott walked into a packed basketball game at Holland Middle School and dozens of students began chanting “We love you, Mr. Mills!” Always grateful, Scott had a humble and easygoing personality. He loved holidays, family, and his dog Daisy.
“Scott was an amazing friend, son, brother, colleague, role model, and overall guy who will be greatly missed by anybody who has ever had the opportunity to know him. I miss him a lot,” said Scott’s father Wayne.
Putting into perspective how many lives he touched, over 1,500 people attended Scott’s funeral. The Scott Mills Memorial Scholarship Fund was created shortly after his passing to honor his memory.
As someone who personally interacted with Scott as a student at Holland Middle, Scott was always a role model. His positivity and genuinely kind demeanor were like no other. It’s people like Scott Mills that make this community a better place.
