Allen Eldred Giles

ALTON BAY, NH – Mr. Allen Eldred Giles, 73 of Alton Bay, New Hampshire, beloved partner of Susan Houghton died peacefully on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 after a courageous battle with ALS.

Born in Danvers, Allen was the son of the late Aubert Stanley and Ruth E. (Dupray) Giles. Raised and educated in Danvers, he was a graduate of Danvers High School class of 1965. Allen continued his education at Salem State College, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in the early 1970’s.

A Vietnam-era veteran, Allen proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. After discharge, Allen started his career at General Electric Aircraft Engines in Lynn, where he worked in Computer Systems Management until the time of his retirement.

Allen loved the outdoors, especially New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee, where he summered in Alton Bay from 1955 until his death. He was an avid and accomplished mountaineer, hiker, bicyclist and skier, always waking early to embark on a challenging outdoor adventure. Allen was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Mount Washington Observatory, and his interests included family history, history of the White Mountains, and maintaining his Alton Bay property and the environment. He served as a Trustee of Levey Park in Alton Bay and took great pride in maintaining the park and working on its trails. New Hampshire’s Mount Washington was Allen’s favorite place on this Earth, and he was never happier than when hiking it with friends and family. He loved to guide less experienced hikers through its trails and ravines; it was truly “his” mountain, and his spiritual home on earth.

Allen made lifelong friends wherever he went, including many in Barefoot Bay, Florida where he wintered. He was a member of American Legion Post 72 in Alton, NH, and The Fraternal Order of Eagles and Fraternal Order of Orioles in Micco, FL. He loved his experiences on the summit of Mount Washington as a volunteer cook for the Observatory, especially in winter when he had the chance to experience its “worst weather on earth” firsthand. He made many good friends on the Summit, and was proud to be counted a dear friend of the legendary Nin the cat. He was beloved by friends and family numbering in the hundreds if not thousands, all of whom will terribly miss him, his vibrant baritone voice, and his larger-than-life energy.

In addition to his partner Susan Houghton of Alton Bay, NH, Allen is survived by his loving daughters, Tammy Stapleton and her husband Donald of Reading and Wendy Tinkham and her husband Michael of Salisbury; his grandchildren whom he adored, Camden, Riley, Lucas, Ella, Devyn and Brooklyn, his brother, Aubert “Stan” Giles and his wife Marie of FL; his nephews, Brad and Scott Giles; Susan’s children Mary Margaret Wons, Justine Houghton, and James Houghton and his wife Jodi and their children Max and Claire; the mother of his children and lifelong friend Judith McGrath-Malko; numerous cousins, extended family and dear friends. Allen will be returned to his mountain he so loved, to guard it for those he leaves behind until we meet again.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend Allen’s funeral service which will be held from the Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) Danvers on Monday, April 19th at 12:15 P.M. All attendees must register to attend the funeral by clicking the link below or by calling the funeral home (978-774-6600).  You may also attend remotely as Allen's service will be TribuCast, (Live streamed). You can join them here: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/83058613 . Visiting hours prior to his service from 10 A.M. to 12 (Noon). All attendees are required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Allen’s memory may be made to the Mount Washington Observatory at mountwashington.thankyou4caring.org/giving. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

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