Mr. Sixto Quiles, Sr.

UTICA - Mr. Sixto Quiles, Sr., age 96, was reunited with his wife when he passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the St. Luke’s Home. He was in the hearts of those he loved the most. Born in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico on August 6, 1920, Sixto was the son of the late Lallo and Juanita Quiles. He was raised and educated in Puerto Rico. A proud veteran of the United States Army, Sixto honorably served his country in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. For his valor, he was honored with the Bronze Star. On February 23, 1946 he married the former Lydia M. Rosas with whom he shared nearly 70 years prior to her passing on January 3, 2016. They were in love, and they were a perfect match. When you saw one, you saw the other. They endured troubled times through faith in the good Lord and great hope that things would be better because they faced them together. They were an example to the generations that followed of what a good marriage should be. The couple and their family relocated to NY City and in the 1980’s they made Utica their home. Sixto loved the landscape of the Mohawk Valley, and his move enabled him to be closer to his extended family. Sixto was clearly a family man, loving and selfless, virtues that were inspired by his wife and remained in his heart with her memory. His children were his pride and joy and he walked alongside each of them with a father’s love. They were amazed at the amount of love he gave to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and when his loved ones who affectionately called Sixto their “abuelo” he would glow and give them hugs and kisses. Sixto was a humble, hardworking, honest man blessed with the wisdom of a lifetime of experiences. He was not always an easy read, but he got along with everyone. You knew where you stood with him, and even if he disagreed, he was a gentleman about it. Sixto was close to the earth and loved to plant, whether with seeds or a cultivated plant. The sun shined bright on his garden and the flowers, vegetables, and house plants thrived under his green thumb. He shared his harvest and had a grand time cooking up Spanish dishes for all to enjoy. Sixto was also close to God and his place of worship, Asamblea de Iglesias Cristianas, Inc. Pentecostal Church where he was one of the last Elders of the original congregation and once served as treasurer. He was fervent in his personal spirituality, and family activities were planned around their church family. When he spoke the words “Bendición” or “Dios te bendiga”, he believed in them. Sixto is survived by his children and their loves, Lydia E. Quiles, Gisela Nieto and Ed Algustowski, Myrna and Craig Harvey, Leonard Quiles Sr., Angel Luis Quiles, Noel Quiles, and Abel Quiles. Always close to his heart was the memory of his son, Sixto Quiles, Jr. who passed away in October of 2013. He also leaves his grandchildren, Audrey and Tim Harris, Jackie and Chris Liss, Cynthia Nieto, Anianna Quiles, Gabrielle and Leonard McKinsey, Lana Harvey, Savannah Harvey, Tatyana Harvey, Maribel Jones, Phil Rosa Jr., David Rosa and Amber Platt, Jason Quiles, Fernando Harvey, Sixto Quiles III, Noel Quiles Jr., Abel Quiles Jr., Jona Quiles, Leonard Quiles Jr., and Sady Lee Quiles; his great-grandchildren, especially Maurice and Santina, Anaiya, Tanisha, DyQwan, DeAndre, Marcus, Sophia, Ayanna, Melissa, Asia, Ty-Giovanni, Charlotte, David Jr., Aubrianna, Makaila, Melina, and Scarlett; his great-great-grandchildren, Rosalina, Asariaha, Aryeanna, Kalen, Avi, Le’Niya, Le’Anna, Leandre, Liviana, Alyssa, Demonte, and Valentina; his brother, Antonio Quiles; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. He treasured the relationship he had with his Pastor Martin Atayde; and in-laws, Gloria Tirado, Saria Rosas, Elizabeth Rosas, Tony Rosas, Daisy Rosas, and Fernando Rosas. He was predeceased by his siblings, Ana Quiles, Romonita Maldonado, Juan Quiles, and Carmen Rodrigues; granddaughter, Zabrina Quiles; daughter-in-law, Mary Quiles; and his granddaughter’s fiancé, Darnell Hymes. The family is grateful to the nurse’s aides at the Clark North and Barton East Nursing Units at the St. Luke’s Home who attended to Sixto with compassion and sincerity. Visitation will be held Thursday from 10:00-12:00 noon at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Sixto's funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Thursday at 12:00 noon at the funeral home with Pastor Martin Atayde officiating the ceremony. Interment will take place graveside in Forest Hill Cemetery with Military Honors conferred.

Mr. Sixto Quiles, Sr.

August 6, 1920 - June 4, 2017