Douglas Stuart Miles

MILES, DOUGLAS STUART Douglas Miles, a long-time resident of Clinton, CT, died after a long illness on Monday, July 22, 2013 at home. Loving husband and best friend of Deborah H. Miles, and beloved father of Brendan Douglas Miles and his wife Karen Panella Miles of Peabody, MA. Douglas was born in New Haven on July 18, 1936, he was the son of the late Bertha and Robert Miles. Doug grew up in Spring Glen, Hamden, and was a product of the Hamden school system where he was an accomplished athlete in football, hockey, baseball and wrestling. He received an academic/athletic scholarship to attend UCONN where he played football. After he incurred knee injuries he transferred to NYU, where he finished his BA in English. He was a proud member of the Theta Ki fraternity. He married Deb on December 23, 1978, and they enjoyed many years traveling to faraway places including Japan and Ireland. Many summers were also spent on the Cape. Doug was also a man who enjoyed being on the water, and summer months were always spent on Ho-Hum surrounded by his many friends as well. Maintaining the Hattaras Sportfish and the antique Mercedes were his true passions. Doug held a variety of sales and managerial positions during his lifetime, and everyone who met him was impressed by his quick wit and strong sense of humor. He worked at various times as a Northeast distributor of Armstrong Rubber, Silly Putty, and several computer firms including Sperry Unisis and MAZAK Corporation. His favorite job, however, began after his son Brendan was born. To Doug, family was the most important part of his life, and so he began his own computer business in order to spend more time with his son. BDM Systems, proudly named for Brendan, sold many computer systems to municipalities, school systems and clients up and down the Connecticut shoreline. Doug truly enjoyed being a dad and watching his son through sports and academic achievements. Doug was so pleased and proud that his son earned his MS degree in computer information security and landed a terrific job in that field. He was also thrilled that Brendan met Karen Panella, and that they married and are planning a family of their own. Unfortunately, poor health made Doug's later years both painful and difficult, although he never lost his spirit and passion for his wife and his family. A celebration of life will be held at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford on Friday, July 26 at 6 pm. Friends may call prior to the service from 4 - 6 pm at the Guilford Funeral Home. Burial will be held privately. Anyone who knew Doug knows of his quick wit, strong sense of humor, his generosity, and his compassion for animals. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Forgotten Felines, PO Box 734, Clinton, CT 06413, Clinton Vol. Ambulance Dept. 35 E. Main St, Clinton, CT 06413 or a charity of choice. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit: www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com