Joseph Stiles Jr., 80, Was Veteran, Avid Gardener

Joseph Stiles Jr. of Vineyard Haven died in Falmouth on Monday, August 28. He was 80.

He was born in Boydton, Va., to Joseph Stiles Sr. and Elizabeth Duncan Stiles on Nov. 1, 1925. Joseph's family moved to Freehold, N.J., where he was graduated from Freehold High School.

Joseph served his country in the Navy during World War II. He was stationed on the Vineyard, where he met and married Mary Cecilio. Being an avid gardener, Joseph worked many years for Morrice Florist, Rod's and Woodlawn Garden Center.

He was a member of Good Shepherd Parish, American Legion Post 257, Holy Name Society, St. Vincent DePaul, past deputy sheriff of Dukes County and a past member of the Tisbury fire department.

Joseph is survived by his two daughters, Joyce Stiles Tucker and Shari Duncan and her husband, Canute, all of Vineyard Haven; one son, Kenneth Stiles of Randolph; three grandchildren, Jennifer Watkins, Kenneth Watkins and Brandon Watkins; two nephews, and one niece.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Vineyard Haven. Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven with full military honors offered by the Veterans of Martha's Vineyard.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 720 Main street, Hyannis, MA 02601.