Maynard H. Mires, Jr., M.D.

Maynard H. Mires, Jr., M.D., 91, departed this life in Morganton, North Carolina on Sunday, August 2, 2015. He was born in Ithaca, New York on March 18, 1924 to Dr. Maynard H. Mires and Ethel E. (Coon) Mires, was educated in the public schools of Sherburne, New York, and received his pre-medical education at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York. Graduation from the University of Buffalo College of Medicine and marriage to the former Ruth A. Bingham of Buffalo occurred on the same day: June 22, 1946.

Dr. Mires began his career in military medicine immediately out of medical school by serving at the U.S. Marine Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, plus a tour afloat in the North Atlantic. He then trained in communicable disease control, and worked as an epidemiologist in Mississippi and Texas. In 1951-52, he was on loan to the U.S. Department of State, and served with the Special Technical and Economic Mission in Thailand.

Upon return to the United States, he became Communicable Disease Director with the Vermont Department of Health. He attended the Harvard School of Public Health in 1953-54, and received the Degree of Master of Public Health (cum laude). While in Vermont, Dr. Mires was involved in the field trial of Salk Polio Vaccine, collated and updated the Health Regulations for the state, and revised treatment policies for Tuberculosis control.

In 1957, he was appointed Director of Local Health Services with the Delaware State Board of Health in Dover where he assured the uniform availability and accessibility of preventive health services statewide. In this capacity, he expanded the training of home health aides, funded a migrant worker health information exchange, and hired a forensic pathologist. At the invitation of the Director of the College of Nursing at the University of Delaware, he became a regular lecturer to student nurses.

Dr. Mires’s interest in international health was manifested again during the 1960s when he went on three separate occasions to work with health and social agencies (AID and CARE) to serve the indigenous Cuna Indians of San Blas and Guaymi Indians of Chiriqui, Panama.

In 1973, he accepted the invitation to become Director of the Division of Public Health Services in New Hampshire. This post included two other duties: Executive Secretary of the State Board of Registration in Medicine, and Associate Professor of Community Health at Dartmouth Medical School. In addition, he was an active member of both the NH Lung Association and the NH Division of the American Cancer Society. He was President of the Merrimack County Medical Society in 1979.

In 1981, Dr. Mires and his wife returned to Delaware where he served as Director of the Sussex County Health Unit in Georgetown until his retirement. He was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by Governor Michael Castle. Also, following a long career as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve, he retired in 1985 in the rank of Captain, having served as Commanding Officer of MEDCRU-604 which evolved into Naval Hospital Bethesda 2104.

Dr. Mires was active in a number of professional, avocational, historical, and fraternal organizations and societies. He was especially involved in the Masons beginning in 1955, when he was Raised in the Ethan Allen Lodge No. 72, Essex Junction, Vermont. He received the Scottish Rite Degrees in 1956 in the Valley of Burlington, Vermont. In Delaware, his memberships were transferred to Union Lodge No. 7 of Dover and the Scottish Rite Bodies of Delaware. He served as Most Wise Master of the Wilmington Chapter of Rose Croix, 18, in 1971-72, and was coroneted an Honorary member of Supreme Council, 33, N.M.J., in 1973. He became a member of Nur Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., in 1957, and was founder and first President of the First State Shrine Club in 1969. His association with the York Rite bodies began with the Capitular Degrees in Kent Chapter No. 8, in 1973. He served as High Priest of Hope Chapter No. 7, of Georgetown, in 1987; Thrice Illustrious Master of Joppa Council No. 3, also of Georgetown, in 1988; and as Eminent Commander of St. Andrew’s Commandery No. 2, of Dover, in 1990. In 1992, he served as Most Illustrious Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of Delaware. In addition, for most of his adult life he was an active member of the Episcopal Church, serving in various offices including Senior Warden. Most recently, he was a parishioner at St. Mary’s and St. Stephen’s.

Dr. Mires was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Ruth, in 2009. Their children are: Col. Stephen A. Mires (USAF Ret.) and wife Dr. Vivian T. Mires of Dumfries, Virginia; Dr. Peter B. Mires of Carson City, Nevada; Dr. Martha M. Britt and husband the Rev. Lawrence A. Britt of Morganton, North Carolina; Mrs. Amy M. Poisson and husband Gerard H. Poisson of Goffstown, New Hampshire. Maynard and Ruth Mires are survived by 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A requiem in celebration of his life will be held at St. Mary’s and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Morganton, North Carolina, Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Friends will be received one hour before in the Parish House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Dr. Mires joins his wife in burial at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, Delaware.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.