David Henry Milecki, long-time advocate and volunteer for marginalized, dies at 73
May 30, 2025 at 1:03 p.m.
David Henry Milecki, who, despite his own battle with ALS, established a prayer lifeline for individuals in the Diocese of Trenton with the disease, died May 22 at age 73.
A life-long and active member of the Catholic faith, Mr. Milecki has been involved in social ministry and charitable works since his young adulthood, helping people who were experiencing homelessness and hunger; participating in parish evangelization programs, and developing an online prayer group for Catholic adults with ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mr. Milecki and his family were members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting.
Born in 1951 in Trenton, Mr. Milecki attended St. Hedwig School, Trenton; Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, and King's College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he played football and was awarded a bachelor of science degree in data processing. He started his professional career with the State of New Jersey as a computer operator and retired as a program manager of the New Jersey Division of Pensions, New Jersey Office of Information Technology, and New Jersey Department of Institutions and Agencies.
Mr. Milecki was active in his Catholic faith, serving as a volunteer at the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal convent, where he provided support to the homeless community at the Father Benedict House in Atlantic City. In St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, he was involved as an altar server, a chef for the parish soup kitchen, and a facilitator of faith enrichment activities with parishioners. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus; he helped low-income homeowners repair homes via Good Works in Coatesville, Pa., and he graduated from The Encounter School of Ministry, a two-year program in which he honed evangelization skills.
Soon after he was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, Mr. Milecki set out to serve the needs of physically challenged Catholics. His efforts led him to the diocesan Holy Innocents Society, which provides religious education instruction for children with special needs. Working with HIS staff, the ALS Prayer Group was started as an online ministry in which Catholics with the disease could come together to pray the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet; read and reflect on the Scriptures, and discuss different saints and books associated with suffering. The one-hour program meets on Mondays at 10 a.m. and listeners can gain access by emailing [email protected].
When Mr. Milecki was interviewed by The Monitor in early 2023 about the establishment of the prayer group, he admitted that an ALS diagnosis can be difficult to accept and navigate but when joining with others in a prayer environment “we can find some time of peace and consolation with Christ and each other. It strengthens us to walk this journey with Christ.”
In his community, Mr. Milecki served as a Manchester Township Police Department Auxiliary Officer (retired as an Auxiliary Sgt.) for six years; he served the homeless as an overnight volunteer at the Ocean County Code Blue warming center, and with his Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Murphy, provided therapy dog support at elementary and special needs schools, military bases (troop deployments and homecomings), and a New Jersey State Police special event. He also volunteered at American Recreational Military Services (ARMS) New Jersey events and was a mentor via the Ocean County Mentoring Program, a volunteer program that provides safe and mature friendships to elementary school children who may not have traditional family support.
Funeral services began May 29 with a memorial gathering at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, Whiting. A funeral Mass was celebrated the following day in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting. Committal was private.
Mr. Milecki was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Helen Milecki; his daughter, Nicole Milecki, and a sister, Denise Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deborah Milecki; five children Heather Milecki, Erin (Marc) Micciulla, Adam (Jenna) Milecki, Mark (Bonnie) Milecki, and Kaycee (Darnell) Williams, and eight grandchildren. Deborah Milecki is a former parish catechetical leader in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, and Mr. Milecki’s daughter-in-law, Bonnie Milecki is on the staff of the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools as an assistant superintendent.
Memorial donations may be made to: Joan Dancy and pALS (people with ALS) Foundation (https://ssl.charityweb.net/joandancyandpals/); ALS United Mid-Atlantic (https://alsmidatlantic.org/donation/) or the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (https://www.franciscansisterscfr.com/donate).
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David Henry Milecki, who, despite his own battle with ALS, established a prayer lifeline for individuals in the Diocese of Trenton with the disease, died May 22 at age 73.
A life-long and active member of the Catholic faith, Mr. Milecki has been involved in social ministry and charitable works since his young adulthood, helping people who were experiencing homelessness and hunger; participating in parish evangelization programs, and developing an online prayer group for Catholic adults with ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mr. Milecki and his family were members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting.
Born in 1951 in Trenton, Mr. Milecki attended St. Hedwig School, Trenton; Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, and King's College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he played football and was awarded a bachelor of science degree in data processing. He started his professional career with the State of New Jersey as a computer operator and retired as a program manager of the New Jersey Division of Pensions, New Jersey Office of Information Technology, and New Jersey Department of Institutions and Agencies.
Mr. Milecki was active in his Catholic faith, serving as a volunteer at the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal convent, where he provided support to the homeless community at the Father Benedict House in Atlantic City. In St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, he was involved as an altar server, a chef for the parish soup kitchen, and a facilitator of faith enrichment activities with parishioners. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus; he helped low-income homeowners repair homes via Good Works in Coatesville, Pa., and he graduated from The Encounter School of Ministry, a two-year program in which he honed evangelization skills.
Soon after he was diagnosed with ALS in 2020, Mr. Milecki set out to serve the needs of physically challenged Catholics. His efforts led him to the diocesan Holy Innocents Society, which provides religious education instruction for children with special needs. Working with HIS staff, the ALS Prayer Group was started as an online ministry in which Catholics with the disease could come together to pray the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet; read and reflect on the Scriptures, and discuss different saints and books associated with suffering. The one-hour program meets on Mondays at 10 a.m. and listeners can gain access by emailing [email protected].
When Mr. Milecki was interviewed by The Monitor in early 2023 about the establishment of the prayer group, he admitted that an ALS diagnosis can be difficult to accept and navigate but when joining with others in a prayer environment “we can find some time of peace and consolation with Christ and each other. It strengthens us to walk this journey with Christ.”
In his community, Mr. Milecki served as a Manchester Township Police Department Auxiliary Officer (retired as an Auxiliary Sgt.) for six years; he served the homeless as an overnight volunteer at the Ocean County Code Blue warming center, and with his Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Murphy, provided therapy dog support at elementary and special needs schools, military bases (troop deployments and homecomings), and a New Jersey State Police special event. He also volunteered at American Recreational Military Services (ARMS) New Jersey events and was a mentor via the Ocean County Mentoring Program, a volunteer program that provides safe and mature friendships to elementary school children who may not have traditional family support.
Funeral services began May 29 with a memorial gathering at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, Whiting. A funeral Mass was celebrated the following day in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting. Committal was private.
Mr. Milecki was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Helen Milecki; his daughter, Nicole Milecki, and a sister, Denise Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deborah Milecki; five children Heather Milecki, Erin (Marc) Micciulla, Adam (Jenna) Milecki, Mark (Bonnie) Milecki, and Kaycee (Darnell) Williams, and eight grandchildren. Deborah Milecki is a former parish catechetical leader in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, and Mr. Milecki’s daughter-in-law, Bonnie Milecki is on the staff of the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools as an assistant superintendent.
Memorial donations may be made to: Joan Dancy and pALS (people with ALS) Foundation (https://ssl.charityweb.net/joandancyandpals/); ALS United Mid-Atlantic (https://alsmidatlantic.org/donation/) or the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (https://www.franciscansisterscfr.com/donate).