Barry Jay Miller, 80, of Darien, died on August 22 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove, after a long illness.

Born in Boston, the eldest son of Morris and Lillian (Maldox) Miller, he served in the Army in the Vietnam war era and then came to Chicago to attend Columbia College, graduating in 1963. He met his wife, Judy Betke, in Chicago and settled into Darien, her hometown.

Owner of Four M Building, he developed 500 homes, townhouses, and condominiums on the North Shore and in the western suburbs. His superb sense of design and an eye for detail attracted homebuyers.

Barry’s acute curiosity imbued everything he did.  Within half an hour of meeting someone, he knew about their family, plans, challenges, and was ready to provide solutions to problems if he could. Blinded by diabetes 25 years ago, he devoured books on tape and the news, eager to know as much as possible about the world.

He served for six years as head of the building and zoning committee of the city of Darien, and on the architecture and construction committee of the Homeowners of the Villas of Carriage Green board.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Lauren Ashley Miller; son, Noel Jordan Miller(Harrison Heilman); grandchildren, Asher, Landon and Everleigh Miller Gehrke; brother Wayne (Sharyn) Miller; sister, Floren (Marty) Appel; niece, Ellen (Jeff) Poltorak; nephew, Joshua (Sophia) Miller; niece, Jennifer (Joe) Kurt. His sister, Karen (Jay) Stern, preceded him in death.