P. Kevin Miles

Peter Kevin Miles, 72, died at Cayuga Medical Center on January 13, 2024. He was the beloved son of Harry J. and Barbara H. (Campbell) Miles, who preceded him in death. He had no siblings.

Kevin was born on July 21, 1951, and he grew up in Fort Plain, New York, a small community along the Mohawk River between Utica and Schenectady. Kevin’s father died when Kevin was in high school. His mother was employed as a housekeeper for Rev. John J. Sullivan, the pastor at St. James Catholic Church. Kevin was a devoted son, who cared for his mother and Fr. Sullivan throughout their lives – a tangible sign of his love that would continue for the next 35 years.

Kevin graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked at National Cash Register and Motorola, and he was employed as a maintenance electrician at the Holiday Inn for many years. He enjoyed working with electronics, salvaging and repairing electrical equipment, and applying his electrician expertise on construction projects and home repairs.

Kevin played the trumpet, and he was an accomplished guitarist and vocalist. His participation as a liturgical music minister was a constant thread that defined much of Kevin’s life. He generously shared his time and talent as a member of Cornell Catholic Community Music Group in the 1970s and 1980s. He was dedicated to enhancing the role of the laity in their celebration of the Mass through song and in welcoming both students and campus community members to the music ministry. Kevin’s talents and guitar accompaniments provided a solid and sure foundation for the other musicians, vocalists, and the congregation. Many of the friendships that Kevin forged during those years endured in the decades that followed and into this century. As contemporary music ministry changed and evolved over the years, Kevin continued to share his both his musical expertise and his audio and video skills at St. Catherine of Siena Church.

Although he endured several healthcare challenges in his later years, Kevin was able to convey a sense of optimism and hopefulness in his outlook. He often used his sense of humor to find the silver lining in the darkest cloud.

Kevin will be remembered as a generous person who was always faithful in offering his friends any support he was able to give – transportation to those friends who had none of their own or repair projects for those in need. He enjoyed recycling items or finding “good deals” at stores when he knew they would help his friends. He especially enjoyed volunteering his audio and video talents for multimedia projects for the church and local community.

A funeral liturgy was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on February 5, 2024, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Cayuga Heights, New York. The Rite of Committal followed the liturgy at Calvary Cemetery, Ithaca, New York.

Those who wish to do so are encouraged to remember Kevin by donating to a charity of their choice.