VIENNA - Peter Christian Miller, 49, of Vienna passed away on Dec. 6, 2009, in his Anderson Road cabin home, of injuries sustained in a wood-cutting accident. He was much loved and will be sorely missed. Although born in Flemington, N.J., on Oct. 9, 1960, Peter lived much of his life in Vienna -- his family moved there from New Jersey in 1966. Pete attended New Sharon Elementary and graduated from Mount Blue High School in 1978. He graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, where he majored in English literature. He always maintained his love of literature and writing. He was also a lover of music, especially the blues. He taught himself to play the guitar and harmonica, and enjoyed playing and singing with friends at local concerts and events in Vienna, Mount Vernon and elsewhere. He played acoustic guitar, once saying he had never picked up an electric guitar and never would. His guitar case was always open, and he would pick up his guitar and launch into a blues riff with, or without, the slightest encouragement. Pete was at home in the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, cross-country skiing and canoeing. He loved contra dancing, and would go just about anywhere in Maine to go dancing. He also traveled to Cuba and Mexico to pursue his interest in Latin American music and culture and the Spanish language. After college, Pete was employed as an archaeologist at the University of Maine at Farmington Archaeology Research Center, University of Vermont Consulting Archaeology Program, Maine State Museum and Garrow Associates. The archaeological studies took him all over New England and New York working on Native American and historic Euro-American archaeological sites. In 2002, Pete moved to a family woodlot off Anderson Road in Vienna and began building his cabin home from wood he cut down and milled with a portable sawmill. Self-employed as a builder, he lived 'off the grid' and loved his rustic life, as exemplified by a bumper sticker tacked to the wall, 'Live Simply So That Others May Simply Live.' His cabin walls also held family pictures, and newspaper clippings of the Red Sox 2004 World Series championship, and the Patriots' first Super Bowl win. Among Pete's circle of family and friends, he was known for his dry wit and endless supply of one-liners. His life was blessed by many steadfast friendships. Everyone knew him as someone who could always be counted on, either for help with a project or just for good conversation. His friends were likewise always there for him, and his family is profoundly grateful to all of them. Pete was a loving and caring neighbor, friend, brother and uncle. He left a gentle touch on many people's lives that will be deeply missed as the seasons change. He was predeceased by his parents, Ellen F. Miller and Robert E. Miller. Pete is survived by his four sisters, Robin Miller, of Augusta, Rosemary Miller, of Portland, Holly Miller, of Hope, and Lynette Miller, of Readfield, and their families; five nieces, Corinna Miller, Angela Snyder, Cassie Bouton, Halley Elwell and Nora Willauer, and their husbands and partners; and a grandniece, Paige Ellen Snyder. A celebration of Peter's life will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at Union Hall, Vienna Mountain Road, Vienna. Contributions in his memory may be made to Vienna Union Hall Association, P.O. Box 104, Vienna, ME 04360. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1 Church St., Augusta. Condolences to Peter's family may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com