Dad passed away on a beautiful sunny day at a time of his choosing with his family surrounding him.
Dad was born in Trail, BC, to Edwin Milo Stiles and Phyllis Marion Stiles (née Marlatt). He joined his older siblings, Inez (1920) and Bill (1922) and two years after Dad, a daughter, Ruth (1931) was born. Dad was predeceased by his parents, sisters and brother.
Dad completed high school in Trail, then went to Royal Roads Military College in Victoria for two years, after which he made the decision that he was not officer material. He moved on to UBC, where he enrolled in the Mining Engineer Program. He graduated in 1955. This led to his lifelong employment in the mining profession.
Dad married Mum, Monica Catherine, (née Brown) on September 6, 1958 (after a very long and disjointed courtship), in Trail. They moved to Edmonton, where Catherine Inez was born June 14, 1959. Shortly after that Christina Helen was born June 5, 1960, in Alert Bay, BC. Susan Mary was born April 21, 1962, in Trail, where Mum was living with family and Dad searched for work.
After many relocations they settled on Texada Island in March 1966. On January 12, 1971, Peter Michael was born, completing the Stiles family. Christina gave birth to Andrew Randal Young on January 28, 1990, producing the only grandchild for Mum and Dad. He was their pride and joy.
Dad was a lifelong sportsman and excelled in many activities, including skiing, golf, curling and basketball, to name a few. He later moved on to coaching, score keeping and dedicated fan at all sporting endeavours for his children.
There are not many associations on Texada Island that Dad did not have a hand in. He was a loud voice for everything Texada and did his share of sitting on committees and boards. The local Legion was a huge recipient of Dad’s never-ending generosity and he was proud to be a member.
Mum passed away in 2017 and the light went out in Dad. He continued living on Texada until March, 2024, when he moved to Powell River due to mobility issues.
We would like to mention The Klister Klub from Red Mountain. A strong link with the past as well as the future. The last two summers spent in Rossland with the Klubbers and Dad’s niece and nephews were very special to him and have provided those left behind with many memories. A very special thank-you to Marilyn for putting that smile on his face.
The family would like to thank the staff at Coastal Breeze for their kindness, and a certain individual (you know who you are) who took the time to check on Dad wherever he was. Everyone on the fourth floor and ICU at the hospital who looked after him. Finally, to the MAiD program, you made a very sad experience bearable.
A Full Honours ceremony will be held at the Legion in Van Anda on September 14, 2024.
