Joseph J. Miles' Obituary
Joseph John Miles - “Joe” - lived a full life. He was born in Weehawken, New Jersey on July 31,
1931, to the late Francis and Anna Baecker Miles. Joe passed away on October 13, 2020, at
the age of 89. May he Rest In Peace.
The beloved husband of the late Cora Lanphear Miles. Loving father of Dr. Joseph Shawn Miles
“Shawn”, and David Francis Miles (fiancé Elizabeth Anne Flynn). Cherished grandfather of
Katherine Olivia Miles, Elizabeth Rose Miles, Liam Joseph Miles, Nicholas Shawn Miles, and
Lucas Alexander Miles.
Joe is also survived by his niece Margaret Ann Gorman Hill and nephews Patrick and Christopher Gorman. He is predeceased by his sister, Anne Veronica Miles Gorman, and brother, Fr. Cassian “Francis” Miles.
Following in the footsteps of his older brother Francis, as a young man he was ordained a
Catholic Priest. He later became a Professor of Theology at St. Bonaventure University, where
he met Sonia Rosemarie Anderson. They married five years later, and soon had two sons,
Shawn and David.
Joe was always driven by a desire to help people in need. He went on to work as an
investigator for the Division of Veterans Affairs of the U.S. Department of Labor in New York,
and later, in Atlanta, Georgia. He excelled at rooting out discrimination against War Veterans in
the workplace, fighting for their rights and securing litigation when necessary, finding counseling
for them when needed, and providing assistance in any way he could. The work was difficult both
emotionally and spiritually, and it gave him much satisfaction.
He was a talented visual artist who made excellent photographs and drawings. Reading, writing,
and singing were big passions as well, and he amassed a collection of nearly one thousand
movies. In the kitchen he created fantastic lasagna, formidable baked ziti, and a singular mac and
cheese. All were eagerly consumed by his sons and their friends.
An enthusiastic jogger who ran in many races, he loved to travel and was able to explore much
of the United States. His favorite destination was Colorado, where he relished getting lost on back roads in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. An acknowledgement of the connection among all things fed his interest in Buddhism, where he found further philosophical ground. The writings of
Thomas Merton had also been a great inspiration for him. The mountains touched a nerve.
Joe found love again after moving to Georgia, where he met his second wife, Cora Lanphear.
She was a talented artist herself. They purchased a home in Cumming, Georgia, and enjoyed
their later years with travel and cooking and creating art, from painting to ceramics. They loved
each other dearly and gave each other gifts of dinners and flowers and notes and letters without
need of any occasion.
Perhaps his greatest passion was simply spending time with his family, children and
cherished Dalmatian, “Spot”. He was involved in all aspects of his children’s lives; a patient
listener and wise counselor. Joe happily spent countless hours with them playing catch, playing
chess, and playing make-believe. He somehow found the time to attend every soccer
match, music recital, and award ceremony for his two children. On the sidelines, his was the
loudest and most passionate voice cheering the team on to victory.
A loving, kind, intelligent, and generous man - who will be very profoundly missed by any and all of the lives he touched.
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects to Joe and his family at Givnish of
Marlton, 398 East Main Street, on Saturday, October 24, from 10 am to 11 am. His funeral
service will begin at 11am. Masks, social distancing, and crowd restrictions will be enforced at
the funeral home and the cemetery. We ask that if you are not staying for the service, please
pay your respects and exit the building to allow other guests to come through.
Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ (private
ceremony).
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?