Robert Stiles (“Bobby”) passed away peacefully in his home on Chappaquiddick, surrounded by loved ones, on Jan. 26, 2023. He was 91. His was a life well lived.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of Florence (Hoffman) and George Stiles, he was the younger of their two sons. He spent the earlier part of his life between Brooklyn and Jackson Heights. He eventually moved to Ridgewood, N.Y., where he met the love of his life, the beautiful Rosemary Smith. Life had a few unpredictable ups and downs for the young couple. They initially planned their wedding for after Rosemary graduated from Lenox Hill School of Nursing in 1953. A career in the military had not been possible, as Bob had been deemed 4-F. He was completely blind in his left eye from a boyhood injury. Their plans were side-railed when the same doctor who classified Bob as 4-F deemed him “fit for duty” after Bob was drafted. Off to Korea he went, where he served from 1954 to 1956. A gifted singer, his incredibly beautiful singing voice had him entertaining troops in Korea. While in Korea, another blow: His beloved Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series while he was halfway across the world, beating the dreaded Yankees. The arch-enemy of any true Mets fan these days!
Bob and Rose married in 1956, quickly started a family, and ultimately moved to Ridgewood, Queens, where they raised Donna, Bobby, and Billy. Bob became a sheet metal mechanic (tin knocker, Local 28). Life was special and fun for the Stiles.
Bob and Rose planned their first vacation to Martha’s Vineyard in 1968. That was it — everyone was hooked. Bob continued to sing in clubs in NYC. He would delight his kids when he would show up with bags of White Castle at 2 am. Bob and Rose eventually retired to the Vineyard, and as luck would have it, were able to purchase a home directly next door to their daughter, Donna Stiles Enos. So over to Chappy they moved. The family grew in leaps and bounds.
Bob was the very proud grandfather of Courtney (Zac), Nicholas (Rebecca), Noah (Madison), Caleb (Christina), Lucy, Sam, and Ella. They will struggle with his loss. He also leaves behind two beautiful great-grandchildren, Liliana and Leo. He leaves behind his legacy in all of them. He leaves behind his heartbroken family, daughter, Donna (Bob), Bobby, (Laura) and Billy, (Molly). Also left mourning his loss are his “adopted” son Brad Walls (Christa), Megan and Cailey, as well as his “adopted” daughter Michele Hooper. He is now parted from the love of his life, his still beautiful wife Rosie. For her, this is hardest. He was predeceased by his brother George, “brothers” Nick Bruckner, Tommy Hand, and Larry Hooper. While Bob had a small nuclear family, his family of friends was endless. Because of Bob, multiple generations are continuing to come to the Vineyard to enjoy the beauty that he showed us all so long ago.
Our gratitude to everyone who made his later years easier: Peter and Sally Wells and the drivers of the Chappy Ferry for ensuring his passage to dialysis, no matter the weather; the remarkable, caring, and loving staff of Dialysis at MVH; all of the staff of the MVH ED for taking care of Bob with any of his needs; and lastly, during his final days, the compassionately caring staff of Hospice. To all we will be forever grateful.
We will miss him forever. As Bob would say, “Let’s Go Mets!”