Earl W. Viles

Portland Earl W. Viles, 84, passed on Monday, February 20, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 14, 1932, in Falmouth, a son to the late John R. and Anna (Misenor) Viles. He grew up in Falmouth and graduated from Falmouth High School in 1950. After high school Earl enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he gained training that allowed him to utilize his skills as an Equipment Installer with New England Telephone and Telegraph for 35 years after serving his country. Prior to employment at the phone company, Earl undertook a variety of jobs such as painting houses, Royal Typewriter salesman, Toledo Scales technician and at Bowley Service Station. During strikes at the phone company, Earl did what he needed to provide for his family and held a variety of jobs, the most memorable being the driver for Governor Baxter (nobody ever passed them). While serving his country in Hawaii, Earl enjoyed building and driving race cars in many competitions. He used his high-speed driving skills to pass onto his three girls, who took to these lessons with ease and used all too often which put a smile on their fathers face. Earl and his best friend, Alan Smith, were trouble with a capital T when they were together. The many antics are those that legends are made of and only a fraction of them have been unearthed to the laughter of many. His girls only caught of a glimpse of the wild-side of Earl growing up snowmobiling, dirt-biking, trips to the Folly Camp, the Browns camp, the Smiths home to name just a few. Earl was a rebel and fearless and passed these traits and skills to his girls. His history did not prevent him from meeting the love of his life, a purebred Irish Catholic named Nancy Mullin. They met at Fort Williams in 1959 at a dance, and Earl said it was Nancys smile that drew him to her from across the room. So she wouldnt slip away from him, Earl sold the motor of his boat to buy an engagement ring. It proved a wise decision as they wed in 1962. To harken back to Earls service days, Nancys bouquet consisted of white orchids from Hawaii. From there, Earls life was blessed with the birth of his three girls, Julie, Andrea and Diana, who were forever known as Earls Girls. His life dramatically changed with four women in his world, especially as the three of them entered teenage years. Earl survived them with a few gray hairs, but still with a smile and proud as ever of them. Earl was known as The MacGyver, who could fix anything with a toothpick, an elastic and a paper clip and would pass these skills on to his girls and anyone else who was around him. In his free time he enjoyed spending time with his loving wife, Nancy; his three daughters, five grandchildren, cooking, spending time at their lake house and playing golf. The family that will miss and honor him are his wife of 54 years, Nancy Mullin Viles, daughter Julie (Viles) Merrill, her husband Gordon Merrill, daughter Diana Viles and son-in-law Dana Wedge. He is lovingly honored by his daughter, Andrea (Viles) Wedge who passed away in April 2013. The pride and joy of his life are his grandchildren, Ryan Merrill, Mitchell and Griffin Wedge, Carsyn and Isabella Vanier, who will carry on their grandfathers antics. The Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2017, from 4-7pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Burial will occur in the spring. To view Earls memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Memorial contributions may be made in Earls memory to the Alzheimers Association, 383 US Route, One, Suite 2C,Scarborough, Maine 04074