Obituary of Vern Stiles

After a short battle with ALS, Vern Stiles passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Born in Aberfeldy, Scotland, Vern grew up in New Denmark, NB.  After graduating high school he moved to Moncton for technical school before settling in Saint John.  Vern worked for NBTel/Aliant full-time for 37 years before taking early retirement.  Retirement wasn’t in his nature.  He did several contracts with Bell Aliant over the next 12 years along with other jobs to keep him busy.  Vern loved to move and was known for his long walks and long drives, never taking the same route twice.  He loved movies and music, specifically Westerns and the Eagles.  Vern had an incredible sense of humour and loved a good laugh.  He had a love of history and no one could beat him at Jeopardy. You could often find him enjoying a good book at Tim Hortons or walking the Saint John Reservoir. Of all his interests, his biggest love was for his five grandchildren, he thoroughly enjoyed every minute with them and they loved their Grampie (and Poopy/Handsome) immensely. 

Vern is survived by his wife and best friend of 52 years, Peggy.  His three children and his two sons-in-law, VeeJay Stiles (Saint John, NB), Andrea & Chris Organ (Fort McMurray, AB), Beth and Shawn Peterson (Rothesay, NB). His grandchildren, Owen, Griffin, Julia, Alexander, and James. His sisters Patsy (Ovid) and Mary (Roger) and sisters-in-law Giselle Stiles and Lorraine Stiles, along with sisters-in-law Mary Lee (Jack), Judy, Pamie (his best buddy, Daryl), Debra (Joe), brothers-in-law Jamie, David (Terri), Danny (Rose), Derek (Kelly), many nieces and nephews, and long time friends Brian Otis, Joe and Lorna Pickup. Vern had a special relationship with all his family, but an extra special connection with his great-niece, Anna Pittman (aka Swiper/Sprinkles). Vern was predeceased by his parents, Annie (Urquhart) and Vernon Stiles, his brothers George and Robert Stiles, and his infant sister, Anne.  He was also predeceased by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jean and James Dobson, sister-in-law June Dobson, brother-in-law, Paul Dobson, Wayne Connell, and nephew John McMillan.  

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 30 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Brenans Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, and the funeral will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Harmony United Church, 8 Upland Rd, Saint John. Harmony United Church will be live streaming the service on their Youtube page (https://www.harmonyunitedchurch.ca/?fbclid=IwAR2QUwvKxFaOiujtmaTaqOmkdKCHUtgsFPbx_McAdev_HW1iBbXX16CI1nA&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-l4h4uddb). For those who wish, donations in his memory may be made to the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Extra Mural, Harmony United Church or the John T. McMillan Jr. Memorial Foundation. 

The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of Extra Mural, Dr. Patrick Maloney, the staff of the Stan Cassidy Centre, the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the Dobson Family.  Take it Easy, Vern.