Father Robert T. Milling, who has served as a priest of the archdiocese since his ordination on May 22, 2004, by Archbishop Seán P. O'Malley, died on May 30. His ordination class was the first class of Boston priests ordained by then-Archbishop O'Malley following his July 2003 arrival in the archdiocese.

He was one of the four children of the late George and Mary (O'Keefe) Milling, born in Boston on May 7, 1944. He was an alumnus of Boston's Cathedral High School and of Boston State College, from which he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees. Prior to entering Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, he was a teacher in the Boston Public Schools for 35 years.

Following his 2004 priestly ordination, he served as parochial vicar in three archdiocesan parishes: St. Joseph, Holbrook (2004-2006); Our Lady of the Assumption, Lynnfield (2006-2008); and St. Peter, Plymouth (2008-2011). He served briefly in 2009 as administrator of the Plymouth parish.

Facing multiple health issues, he was on health leave from 2011-2021; in 2021, he was granted senior priest retirement status. During most of the year of health leave and senior priest status, he was in residence in St. Francis of Assisi rectory, Braintree.

According to those who knew him, served with, or who were his students or parishioners, he was passionate about education and about his faith. His teaching years were in Roxbury, Dorchester, and the Mission Hill sections of Boston.

Father Milling's funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Braintree, on June 10, 2025. Archbishop Richard G. Henning was the principal celebrant of the Mass, and Father Paul Clifford, pastor of St. Mary and St. Eulalia parishes, Winchester, and formerly pastor of St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi parishes in Braintree, was the homilist. Friends and contemporaries of Father Milling were among the concelebrants.

Following the funeral Mass, Father Milling was buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. He is survived by his sister, Ellen, Stoughton, and two brothers John, also of Stoughton, and Thomas, Columbia, S. Car.