Willetts Miles

MILES, Willetts H. “Bucky” passed away at home in New Milford, N.J., after a courageous 21⁄2-year battle with cancer at 90 on Aug. 22, 2022. He was born in Manhattan, N.Y., on Sept. 5, 1931, grew up in the Inwood section of that borough and attended Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx.
Bucky was proud to be a Marine and was a distinguished veteran of the Korean War, honorably discharged when his service ended. After the Korean War, Bucky was a third-generation steamfitter where he was a terrific welder with Local Union 638 before eventually retiring as a steamfitter. A lifelong NY Giants and NY Yankees fan, a 10-year-old Bucky was attending a home Giants game with his father when it was announced that Pearl Harbor had been attacked, igniting his fire to protect our country when he became age-eligible. Bucky was a Giants season ticket holder from 1957 through this past season. His tailgate parties before and after the football games were legendary as many attended to listen to and laugh with the fun-loving Bucky who invited in everyone and anyone who wanted to join the party. He loved his summers at the Jersey Shore, and he participated in the New Milford community including coaching town youth football and being a lifelong member of VFW Post 4290, as well as a member of American Legion Post 170 in Rochelle Park, N.J.
Bucky is survived by his beloved wife Dolores Miles (nee Graham), and he is the adored father of Joan Miles, who can tell a considerable number of funny stories concerning the life and times of Bucky Miles. Bucky is also the stepfather of Debbie Boyle (nee Brown), Donna Telesca (nee Brown) and Richard Brown. He was pre-deceased by his first wife Joanne Miles (nee Reilly). Willetts was also pre-deceased by his parents Willetts and Marie Veronica Miles (nee Adicks). He is the brother of Caroline (Bo) Mitchell (nee Miles) and the deceased Melville (Sissy) Kohlhase (nee Miles).
A fun-loving and fascinating storyteller, “Uncle” Bucky is cherished by his immediate family, his stepfamily, his nephews, nieces, and their children and a sizable number of friends, whether they be young or “experienced.” Once you were a friend of Bucky, you were a friend for life.
In lieu of flowers the family appreciates donations to the New Milford Board of Education - memo line Willetts Miles - address New Milford Public Schools c/o Stephanie Kuchar 145 Madison Ave. New Milford, NJ 07646.