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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. John Taylor Miles on July 15, 2026, at the age of 80, following a courageous battle with pneumonia. Born and raised in Toronto, John was predeceased by his parents, Harold Williams Miles and Ruth Taylor Miles, and by his sister, Linda “Nin” Miles Ingram.
John attended St. Michael’s High School, where he graduated with honours, before entering the pre-medical program at the University of Toronto. He began his medical career as a family physician in Thunder Bay, then returned to Toronto to complete his surgical residency. He went on to specialize in vascular surgery, a field then in its infancy that demanded exceptional precision, innovation, and expertise. John spent most of his career at Trillium Health Partners, where he cared for thousands of patients and later served as Chief of Staff, a role he deeply cherished. His contributions to patient care, surgical excellence, and hospital leadership left a lasting impact on the organization and the community he served.
Beyond medicine, John had a great love for the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with lifelong friends from Glenora. His happiest place, however, was Rattrays Lake in the Ottawa Valley, where he spent countless summers with family and friends. It was there that many of his fondest memories were made and where he felt most at peace.
John is lovingly remembered by his dear wife, Shelly; his daughter, Jessica (Tom); his stepdaughters, Lindsey (Tolga) and Shannon (Erik); his grandchildren, Lennon, Conor, Rowan, Emily, Alexandra, and Jack; his sister, Kathryn Miles Tucker; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 1:00PM-4:00PM in the Rock Garden Great Room at the Royal Botanical Gardens, 1185 York Blvd., Hamilton ON.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to Trillium Health Partners or Stedman Community Hospice.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Levante Charlotte Villa, Brantford General Hospital, and Stedman Community Hospice for the compassionate care they provided John during his final days.
May he rest in peace, forever at ease on the dock of the bay.
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3 Guestbook Entries
July 20, 2026 | Lorie Zachariuk
Dear Shelly and family,
Our family was so saddened to hear of John’s passing. He lived a remarkable life as a devoted physician who touched thousands of patients’ lives, and as a husband, father, grandfather, and my brother-in-law who was admired. This tribute to him is so very accurate and truly portrays the legacy he leaves behind.
I had the privilege of spending time with you, my sister, and John at your cottage, and I witnessed firsthand the peace and joy he found there. With your beautiful black lab, Bo, by his side, he was truly a happy man, content, at ease, and surrounded by the things he loved most. It’s a memory I’ll always treasure and hold close.
Every visit with John was special. I loved hosting the two of you at my home in the Okanagan Valley in BC, where John shared such amazing stories from his life, it was through those conversations that I truly came to understand what a beautiful, full life he lived. But I’ll always cherish our most recent time together, Christmas at your home in Brantford. You both were the quintessential hosts, and John’s enthusiasm to have me there means the world to me. In every visit we had, times with John were enlightening.
John’s dedication to his patients and to Trillium Health Partners left a legacy that I’m sure will be felt for years to come by all the people he touched throughout his career. But we know none of that compares to the loss of having him as part of your everyday lives. Our hearts are with you and the entire family during this difficult time.
Please know we’re thinking of you all, and we’ll be there on September 3rd to celebrate his life. Sending you all our love and support in the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy, and my love sister.
Lorie Zachariuk
July 21, 2026 | Bob Lifeso
There are no words to adequately describe the six plus decades of friendship, love and companionship that JT and I shared. We were medical students, housemates, apartment mates, clinic mates, friends and colleagues for far too long to summarize in words. We spent years together honing our medical and subsequently surgical skills. He in vascular and I in spinal surgery.
He was brilliant in so many ways. Funny and lovable, a delight to be with and a friend for ever. His visits with us in Florida or we with him in Ontario were, in retrospect, far too few and too short.
I hope and pray that he is finally at peace in a better place, and hope we might meet again.
Much love dear JT, much love, Bob
July 27, 2026 | Ken and Carol Cushman
Condolences to Shelly and John’s family. A few memories: I first met John with his rosy cheeks and peach fuzz in 9th grade in St Michaels high school in Toronto. It was the first and last time I had a higher GPA than John. He blew by all of us by 10 th grade ! His brilliance was only matched by his humor and laugh which filled a room. He was the Mayor of River City in the high school musical “The Music Man”. Early leadership skills portrayed on stage. Not a world class athlete(who was?), John became student manager of the St Mikes Junior B hockey team which was the best in Canada.
Off to U of T premed where I met my wife Carol and in 1969 John agreed to be our best man and arrange quite the bachelor party. Throughout medical school John was at the core of a bonded cohesive clinic group of students and lifelong friends. Only rivaled by his buddies from Glenora.
Wherever we all ended up, John was and is always there in our thoughts and memories.
Thankyou Shelly for your devotion to John. Love Ken and Carol.