APPLETON - When Matt Miller called Patrick Murphy, singer for Irish band, Gaelic Storm, inviting them to perform at the very first Irish Fest in Oshkosh, Murphy had just one request for Miller.
"I told him 'Miller, if you're going to do it, you better do it right'," Murphy said. "We had no idea what to expect and when we got to Oshkosh, sure enough, he had done a fantastic job."
Miller died unexpectedly on May 6 at the age of 54. Close friends of Miller said celebrating and bringing Irish culture to his community was very important to him, prompting him to start Irish Fest, which debuted in Oshkosh in 2009.
Irish Fest is an annual event that features live performances from Irish bands and artists, food and drinks, activities for all ages, merchandise and opportunities for shopping. The festival moved to Appleton in 2021 after being held in Oshkosh since its debut year.
"He will be missed by people that never even knew him," said friend and former colleague of Miller's, Gigi Becker. "That's a true legacy."
Jeff Propson worked alongside Miller for about 10 years as the vice president of the Oshkosh Irish Fest. Propson said his time with Miller lead to him establishing some of the most important friendships in his life.
"What I like to think about Matt most of all, is how he connected so many people together," Propson said. "What a legacy to have brought so many people together through a common cause of fostering Irish music and culture."
Miller also owned and managed McGuinness Irish Pub, 201 S. Walnut St. in Appleton. In 2015, the original owners John and Anna McGuiness turned the business over to their son-in-law Chris Meyer and his two partners Eric Buss and Miller. By 2018, Miller completely bought out the buisness and building because he wanted to see it remain in business and stay true to its authentic Irish pub feel, he told the Post-Crescent in June of that year.
There, his love for Irish culture continued to be displayed as the bar hosted events including St. Patrick's Day week, Irish Heritage Day and Celebrity Bartending, where bands like Skerryvore would work behind the bar for the night.
"Miller hosted our first ever Whisky Sessions in the Harp Room of McGuiness," said Skerryvore band member, Daniel Gillespie "We somehow ended up working behind the bar which soon became a regular occurrence as Celebrity Bartending on our tour schedule."
Skerryvore performed at McGuiness Irish Pub and Irish Fest on multiple occasions.
Other patrons at McGuiness simply enjoyed the Irish and Celtic atmosphere the bar gave off.
"My friend group of about 30 college-age boys couldn't wait to get home from break to see Matt and hang out at McGuiness," said John Fogarty, a close friend of Miller. "We loved the environment so much we nicknamed it 'the headquarters.'"
Fogarty said Miller hosted his band, Collective Ex, many times at McGuiness.
"He was caring and selfless and he fostered a community that will never be the same without him," Fogarty said.
Miller was involved in several nonprofits including Boy Scouts of America, the Humane Society and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). After starting the Oshkosh Irish Fest, Miller went on to be the founder of the Oshkosh St. Patrick's Day Parade and Tent Party as well as the Oshkosh Oktoberfest.
Many of Miller's friends said he was dedicated to anything he set his mind to.
"You always need somebody like that, you need a Matt Miller on any festival to make it successful," Murphy said. "I think he was just so proud of his community and he really enjoyed showing it off."
A visitation service was held at St. Mary's Church, 312 State St. in Appleton, on May 13. A funeral liturgy was held following day, May 14, in the same location. Miller will be laid to rest at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.
His family requests donations be made to Irish Fest of Fox Cities in lieu of flowers. The link for donations can be found on the Irish Fest of Fox Cities' Facebook page.
"There must be some great party or festival waiting for Matt in heaven that he lefts us all too soon," Propson said. "We will miss him terribly and he will leave a void that will be hard to fill."
Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.
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