Obituary of Benjamin Morrill Giles

Benjamin Morrill Giles Jr., 85, died peacefully on Monday, March 29, 2010, at the Maine Veterans' Home after a brief stay. Born on Jan. 6, 1925, in Boothbay Harbor, he was the 10th of 12 children and the youngest son of Benjamin M. Giles Sr. and Nettie Rowe Giles. Benjamin attended Boothbay Harbor schools, graduating from Boothbay Harbor High School in 1943 and from the Industrial Technical School of Boston in 1949. He served in the Detachment Medical Department of the 68th field hospital in the Pacific Theater as a Medical Technician during World War II. Benjamin was awarded the Asiatic Theater Medal, the World War Two Victory Medal, the American Defense Theater Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal for his service. Ben worked at Bath Iron Works building a fleet of French fishing boats right after the war. He worked at the VA Center at Togus first in the Greenhouse where he developed his lifelong appreciation of plants and landscaping. He then accepted a position in engineering and later developed the biomedical department. He was also a licensed master electrician until he was 75 years of age. Ben married Louise W. Huntley from Augusta on Oct. 20, 1951, at the Penny Memorial Baptist Church in Augusta. Louise predeceased Ben on July 15, 1998. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Lermond, Drummond, Robert and Harold, and sisters, Leta, Lavinia, Iva, Audrey (Cleo) and Peggy (Natalie). Ben is survived by his five children, Stephen H. Giles and his wife Kathy from Bath, Crystal G. Dow and her husband James from China, Diane G. Berliner and her husband Jim from Los Angeles, Linda G. McCabe and her husband John from Candia, N.H., and Benjamin M. Giles III and friend Lynne Hart from Oakland, N.J. and Colorado; 10 grandchildren, Carolyn Giles of Portland, Samuel and William Giles of Bath, Jessica Vear and partner Jesse of Portland, Eleanora French of China, David Berliner of Boston, Carolyn and Lauren Berliner of Los Angeles, and Chantel and Lucas McCabe of Candia, N.H. Ben is also survived by his sisters, Elizabeth G. Richardson from West Bath and Patricia G. Adams and her husband Robert from Boothbay Harbor; his brother-in-law Merle Hathorne of York; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ben was a member of the Order of the Knights of Pythius as a younger man. He was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America along with his two sons serving as assistant scoutmaster for the China Troop 479. Ben retired from the VA in 1984 and traveled with his wife and family to many interesting destinations. Ben spent many hours on his boat either preparing to launch or motoring on Maine waters. Ben never lost his love of the ocean and he enjoyed boating around the Maine coast near his home port, Boothbay Harbor. He also spent time in Bar Harbor and the surrounding islands with his wife and their good friends. Ben and Louise enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren at their home on China Lake. Ben took pride in maintaining their lake front property and grounds while Louise played golf with her pals. They both bowled on the Togus league and also belonged to an area square dance club. Ben also enjoyed spending time with his siblings and families at monthly parties held at various locations. He was always willing to heed the call of friends and family when electrical issues occurred requiring his expertise. In the last years of his life Ben enjoyed time with his son Steve and wife Kathy as they made it possible for him to be home at the Lake with their furry feline companions. A memorial service celebrating Benjamin's life will be held at 1 p.m. on April 12, at the Highland Ave. Methodist Church in Gardiner with the Rev. Jinyong Choi and the Rev. Constance Wells officiating. A reception will follow at the Church hall. Committal at the Veterans' Cemetery will take place on Aug. 16, at 10 a.m., with military honors. Donations may be made to: The Spectrum Generations Adult Day Care Center at the Muskie Center 38 Gold St. Waterville, Maine 04901 or the China Boy Scouts of America Troop 479 Care of Scoutmaster Scott Adams