Obituary of John Robinson Myles

John Robinson Myles of Rothesay, husband of Anna-Claire (Mott) Myles, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at Kingsway Care Centre. Born at Saint John on January 13, 1923, he was a son of the late Fred and Helen (Robinson) Myles. Jack was a graduate of Saint John High School, and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941, serving in Europe and Australia as a Photo Reconnaissance Unit Pilot. He completed 70 Operational Sorties, flying Spitfires and Mosquitos, and was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. For his service, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal from the United States Air Force. Following the war, Jack attended Queen’s University and the University of Manitoba, where he received a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 1950. He joined his father-in-law in the firm of Mott & Myles (later Mott, Myles, & Chatwin Ltd.) and practiced architecture in New Brunswick until he retired in 1989 following a stroke. Jack was an active member of his community; he served for 10 years as Clerk of Session of the former Exmouth Street United Church, and later attended St. David’s United Church. He served 3 years as a Commissioner of the Renforth Low Impact Development Committee, including one year as Chairman. He was a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow of the Saint John Rotary Club; a member of the Riverside Country Club; Probus; Royal United Services Institute; and # 250 (Saint John) Wing of the Air force Association of Canada. In his professional life, Jack was a member of the Architect’s Association of New Brunswick, serving 13 years as Secretary/Treasurer/Registrar; he represented New Brunswick on the National Council of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, being subsequently appointed a Fellow, and also serving a 3 year term as Dean of the College. Jack also served on the Associate Committee for the National Building Code of Canada through the National Research Council of Canada. In his leisure time, Jack enjoyed sailing, curling, gardening, and especially traveling, which he and Ann enjoyed greatly after he retired. In addition to his wife of 64 years, Jack is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Withers (Andy) of Rothesay; a son, John Myles (Natalie) of Victoria, British Columbia; grandchildren Jennifer Withers of Rothesay, Andrew Withers of Vancouver, Todd Myles (Laura) of Kelowna, BC, and Jeff Myles of Vancouver, BC; a sister, Marjorie Ann Harvey of Grand Manan; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by an infant sister, Marion Myles. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Monday, October 11, 2010 from 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held from Brenan's Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday at 2:00 PM from Brenan’s Chapel. Interment will take place in Fernhill Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to the Animal Rescue League, Cherry Brook Zoo, or to any charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family. A Tribute to a Veteran Service will be held on Monday at 7:00 PM at the funeral home.