Miles, John H., 78, Augusta, in Augusta, October 22, 2009. There will be no public visiting hours. Arrangements in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, Augusta.
AUGUSTA – John H. Miles, 78, of Augusta and formerly of Kents Hill, died Thursday, October 22, 2009, at the Maine Veterans' Home in Augusta after a long and courageous battle with Lewy Body Disease; which has symptoms similar to Parkinsons and Alzheimers. He was born in Lewiston, December 30th, 1930, the son of Ralph and Irene (Poulin) Miles. 
He grew up in Auburn, Maine, graduating from Edward Little High School, Class of '49. He married his high school sweetheart, Lena Asselyn in 1950. John served two years honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict 1952-1953. John was employed as District Manager for Suburban Propane in Augusta for 27 years and held similar positions with the company in Presque Isle, ME, Long Island, NY, Rochester, NH, and Portland, ME. Prior to this, he ran a propane dealership with his wife Lena in Rangeley, Maine. While living in Presque Isle, John was active in community affairs as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in city and state politics, nearly winning a bid for the Democratic House of Representatives in 1972. He enjoyed the family camp on the Aroostook River and the fishing and hunting that this area offered. After moving to Augusta, he joined the Capital City Rifle and Pistol Club and competed locally and nationally in the world of competitive shooting. He fell in love with sailing, especially Penobscot Bay and thoroughly enjoyed his time on the water with his wife Lena, his children and many friends and was a member of the Rockland Yacht Club. John was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winthrop. He earned a 4th degree with the Knights of Columbus Father McGowan Council No 7655. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Ralph Miles of Auburn, ME.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Lena Asselyn Miles; his son, John H. Miles II, and daughter, Mary Ellen Miles, her husband Roy; and grandchildren, Hannah Ruth and Elijah Roy. John was especially proud of his grandchildren's achievements in academics and music. He is also survived by his brother, Retired Colonel Richard J. Miles and his wife, Nancy along with several nieces and nephews.
There will be no public visiting hours. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, October 26 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winthrop. A reception was held in the parish hall immediately after the service. John was buried at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, 310 Cony Road, Augusta, ME 04330. John’s family would like to thank the Maine Veterans Home for special care given to him over the past four years. They would also like to express their gratitude to Health Reach Hospice. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
