James E. Stygles D.P.M., age 85, passed away at his son’s home in Grafton on October 17, 2009. Born in Winchester, he was the son of the late John H. and Johanna (Callahan) Stygles. He attended St. Mary’s Parochial elementary school and graduated from Winchester High School. After high school, he received athletic scholarship to the University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, which he abandoned after Pearl Harbor was attacked and he was commissioned in the Marine Corps., where he served as a Naval Aviator during WWII. During that time, his duties as a pilot included flight instruction and training, notably to the late Ted Williams with whom he remained in contact for many years. At the conclusion of WW II, he attended Ohio College of Medicine and received his medical degree in podiatry. He then continued his military service, piloting helicopters in Korea; where his awards included the coveted "Winged-S Rescue Award" in honor of a high-risk rescue he performed while flying a Sikorsky helicopter. Upon discharge, Dr. Stygles opened his medical practice in Natick, which was affiliated with the Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick and the Cushing Hospital in Framingham. He was the Chief Podiatric Surgeon for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a number of years, retiring in 1989. Dr. Stygles was the former Commander of the American Legion in Winchester, a member of the American Legion in Mexico City and a member of the 2nd Marine Division Association, where he served for many years as the Division Surgeon General. In his spare time, he was a member of the Natick Town Meeting and the Natick Democratic Town Committee. Dr. Stygles was also a delegate to the Democratic State Convention. He loved to travel, read and write letters to friends and relatives. He was the beloved husband of the late Helen Marie (Wrenn) and the devoted father of James Christopher of Mexico City, Rev. John of Memphis, TN, Kathryn Peirce of Natick, Mark F. of Hopedale, Michael P. of Grafton and Siobhan Giantis of RI. He was also the dear brother of the late Bernard, Joseph, John, Daniel and George Stygles. Also survived by 11 grandchildren.
His funeral will be held from the Costello Funeral Home 177 Washington St., Winchester on Thurs., Oct. 22 at 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church Winchester at 10AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visiting Hours will be held in the funeral home on Wed. from 4-8PM. Interment Calvary Cemetery Winchester. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the U Mass Memorial Hospice, c/o U Mass Memorial Foundation, Biotech One, 650 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01613-9938.