Obituary of Arthur Linden Miles

While holding his beloved wife Madeline’s hand and surrounded by family, Arthur Linden Miles, age 92, returned to his heavenly home on Friday 3/1/19. His devotion to his family and lifelong belief and trust in God supported him in his struggle and provided great peace at his passing.

Arthur was born to Horace and Eva Miles on February 21, 1927 in Philadelphia, New York. At the age of 11 his eyesight was severely damaged by a lightening strike while he was operating a crystal radio. Despite the gradual and eventual complete loss of his eyesight Arthur excelled at school and sports. He captained his high school basketball team and graduated from Philadelphia High School as Valedictorian in 1945. He later attended a school for the blind in New York City.

If you asked Arthur what the smartest thing he ever did was, he would gladly tell you it was “stealing” a first kiss from Madeline May Moose by the trees behind their high school. Madeline was the love of his life and he wisely wasted no time in marrying her at the Bethany Methodist Church in Watertown, New York on June 1, 1945. Their love blazed a path through 73 years of marriage. Being married for over 70 years placed Arthur and Madeline in an exclusive club. Less than .01 percent of marriages persevere that long and they were honored by their extended family with a party to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their marriage. Their marital bond and absolute devotion to each other through the travails of life was an inspiration to all who knew them. Perhaps the secret to their union was relayed by Madeline who described their marriage as a, “lifelong date.”

Arthur worked a series of jobs through the years despite his affliction. He never allowed his blindness to limit him in any endeavor. He was a man of immense physical strength and mental fortitude. Arthur loved to fish and camp. He taught himself to play piano. He loved to sing any time and any place. He maintained the family vehicles and multiple homes by performing all the necessary repairs and daily maintenance himself. Arthur’s first full time job was rail repairs and inspections for the North Central Railroad Company in Philadelphia, New York. It was a physically demanding job as was the next job he took at the Mosher and Parker feed store also in Philadelphia. He next worked for Borden’s Dairy in Evans Mills, New York. Later, Arthur and Madeline opened and operated the first employee cafeteria at the Northland Electric Company in Watertown, New York for 12 years. This eventually led to the couple owning and operating the Pleasure Restaurant in the Seaway Shopping Center in Watertown, New York from 1971 until their retirement. The restaurant motto was, “We enjoy serving 1. God 2. You.” Arthur and his wife were very active in the New York Grange Organization in Watertown, New York. They were also active members of the United Methodist Church both in Watertown and later in Gloversville.  

Arthur and Madeline’s greatest blessing was a large and ever expanding family including four sets of twins and Arthur served as the patriach. Arthur is survived by his wife Madeline, his daughter Judith (Malcolm), sons Steven and Ronald (Carrie), grandchildren: Eric (Teresia), James (Barbara) & Jeffrey, Christopher (Cindy) and Katrina, Kathy, Kristie and Daniel (Meghan), great grandchildren: Jacob & Joshua, Kiera, Ryan, Austin & Alyssa, Andrew, Audra & Aidan, Britney, Elizabeth, great-great grandchildren: Landon, Logan, Lillian, Luca, Madeline, Dorthea, Christain, Adrian and Zachary. He is predeceased by his loving parents Horace and Eva and his brother Brayton.

A celebration of Arthur’s life will be held for family, friends and all others whose lives were touched by Arthur on Friday March 8, 2019 at the Walrath and Stewart Funeral Home from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., 51 Freemont Street, Gloversville, New York 12078. A funeral service will be held on March 9 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 316 North Main Street, Gloversville, New York 12078, followed by a luncheon in Fellowship Hall at the church. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests a donation on behalf of Arthur Miles to the North Main Street United Methodist Church, 316 North Main Street, Gloversville, New York 12078.

Arrangements are entrusted to Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home