Henry R. Stiles, 88
NEW MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Henry Raymond "Bud" Stiles, 88, formerly of Southfield, died in his sleep Monday morning, May 11, 2009, at Fairview Commons in Great Barrington.
Born in Westfield on July 7, 1920, son of Harry Reuben and Virginia Belle Taylor Stiles, he graduated from Westfield High School in 1938. He moved to Southfield in 1951.
Mr. Stiles was employed as an extruder operator at Custom Extrusion in Sheffield until his retirement in 1986. Prior to that, he was a supervisor of rawhide processing at Turner & Cook for 16 years.
An integral part of the community, he was a member of the New Marlborough Fire Company for almost 40 years, and held the position of fire chief in 1954 and 1955. He moved from his beloved big house in fall 2007 after 56 years. It was a home filled with memories of many celebrations and gatherings of family and friends. He could always be heard whistling his way to and from work at the buggy whip shop, or on his daily trips to the general store after his retirement. He was one of a group of men who were always on the porch bench at the general store, happily talking to everyone and keeping tabs on village activities. He was the last one remaining from that group.
His wife, the former Martha Louise Cook of Southfield, whom he married in 1943, died in December 1994.
He leaves three daughters, Karen Brusie and her husband, Gerry, of Hillsdale, N.Y., Diana Paruta and her husband, John, of East Canaan, Conn., and Janice Boults and her husband, Chris, of Southfield; two sons, Stuart Stiles and Bruce Stiles, both of Pittsfield; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A graveside service for Mr. Stiles will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 11 a.m. in Lee Memorial Cemetery in Southfield, followed by a luncheon at the church hall in Southfield.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 13, from 4 to 7 at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Marlborough Volunteer First Responders or the New Marlborough Fire Department through funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.