U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Dennis E. Milton, 59, dies

He was a federal prosecutor and a U.S. bankruptcy court judge. But Dennis E. Milton never forgot his roots.

Since his graduation in 1961, Milton, of Huntington, continued to live by the creed of his alma mater, Regis High School in Manhattan, which was to be "a man for others," his wife said.

"He was someone who constantly volunteered to help others. He was a generous donor to his high school, church, and other institutions, and he was a loyal friend and colleague," said his wife, Karen Greve Milton, of Huntington. "He really was a man for others."

Milton, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Brooklyn for the last nine years, died in his home May 31 from complications of cancer. He was 59 and had worked up until the time of his death.

Milton was president of his high school's alumni association and a class representative of Regis High School for more than 35 years.

"Dennis was probably one of the most devoted and loyal alumnus that the school has produced," said Jim Buggy, Regis High School's vice president for development, who said Milton was a generous supporter of the school and the community.

Milton's dedication landed him the high school's 2009 Deo et Patriae Award, an annual award given to an alumnus who has served Regis High School and the community in a distinguished capacity during the course of his life.

Milton is also to be awarded "Man of the Year" posthumously later this month by the Long Island chapter of the Fordham Law School Alumni Association.

He was born and raised on Staten Island. After graduating from Columbia University, Milton received his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1976.

Milton was chief deputy county attorney for Suffolk from 1988 to 1991. In 2001, he was appointed to the federal bankruptcy court by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Before working for Suffolk County, Milton had served as an assistant United States attorney in the criminal division of the United States Attorney's office for the Eastern District of New York and had been an associate at the law firm of McGuire & Lawler in Manhattan.

Milton was a bankruptcy committee member of the New York City Bar Association. He was also part of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges.

Off the bench, Milton was an avid Yankees fan, and "never missed a game," his wife said.

Milton also enjoyed grilling, reading spy thriller novels, and running errands with Sam Adams, the couple's 8-year-old golden retriever.

"He was a simple guy who liked simple things," said his wife. She said he told his wife and doctors a few days before his death, "It's been a wonderful life."

Services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Church of Saint Patrick in Huntington; burial will follow at the Church of Saint Patrick Cemetery.