Gideon T. Miles

Gideon T. Miles, Jr.1921 - 2016Holyoke�Gideon T. Miles, Jr., 94 of Holyoke died Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center. Born in Holyoke, the son of the late Gideon T. Miles, Sr. and Margaret (Murphy) Miles, he was educated in the Holyoke Public Schools and was a high honors graduate of Holyoke High School in 1939. He also was a high honors graduate of both the former Boston School of Anatomy and Embalming and American International College. He worked for 38 years for TRW, formerly Holyoke Wire and Cable Corp., retiring in 1985. He was Consumer Plant Manager for several years during TRW ownership and he was National Sales Manager for over twenty-five years. A licensed funeral director he was employed at the Messier Funeral Home in Holyoke following his retirement from TRW. During World War II he as an Aviation Chief Radioman, Gunner in the U.S. Navy. He was awarded fourteen medals among which include The Distinguished Flying Cross and Six Air Medals won for meritorious action flying combat missions in dive bombers and torpedo bombers from both aircraft carriers and land bases in the South Pacific Theater. He also was awarded the Navy Combat Action Ribbon for his Participation in ground and surface combat. He was a past Senior Vice Commander and the longest member of The American Legion Post #325 since 1946. He was a member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #801 since 1946 and was a member of The National Chief Petty Officers Association. He was a member of the AARP and was president of the Holyoke AARP Chapter #1524 from 1994 to 1996, also a member of the Holyoke Golden Seniors Club. He was a former member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Chicopee Council #4044, and a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church. He was the recipient of The First Annual Civic award given by The Mount Tom Lodge of Masons in 1995. He was a life member and an honorary life member of The Holyoke Lodge of Elks #902. He was a past Exalted Ruler, past trustee and Elk of the year in 1997 and again in 2005. He was the lodge newsletter editor for more than fifteen years. He was the only Elk member to serve for two full consecutive years as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the Massachusetts West District. He was elected a state trustee of The Massachusetts State Elks Association for the years 1995-1998 and was appointed the first District Leader of The Western Mass District in 1996. He was appointed state chaplain of The Massachusetts State Elks Association for 1999-2000 and again in 2004-2005. He leaves his wife of 67 years, the former Helen Irwin, two sons, Edward of Holyoke and Steven (Cynthia) of Burlington, CT; two grandsons, Steven Jr and Daniel; brother in law, CL White of Oregon; niece, Laurel Lewellen of Penn Yan, NY. He was predeceased by two sisters Thelma (Miles) White and Audrey (Miles) Smith. The funeral will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 8:45 AM from the Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton St., Holyoke, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10AM in Blessed Sacrament Church. The burial with military honor will follow in Forestdale Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday, November 21, 2016 from 4-7 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Massachusetts Elks� Scholarship Inc., c/o Holyoke Lodge of Elks, 250 Whitney Avenue, Holyoke MA, 01040. Please visit www.messierfuneralhome.com for more details.