Obituary: John 'Jack' Giles, Retired Waltham Fire Captain

Retired Waltham Fire Captain John T. 'Jack' Giles died on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 in Stuart, Fla. He was 82.

Jack was born in Waltham on Dec. 17, 1931, a son of the late Patrick and Delia (Murphy) Giles. He attended St. Joseph's Elementary School, St. Mary's High School and earned his associates degree in fire science from Massachusetts Bay Community College.

During the Korean War, he served with the Army and after returning home he worked for a number of years at J.L. Thompson Manufacturing Company in Waltham. He also worked as a general carpenter with McLean Woodworking, having built and remodeled several homes in the Waltham area. In 1959, he was appointed a firefighter with the City Of Waltham; he earned the rank of Lieutenant in 1964 and Captain in 1978. While in Waltham, he was a parishioner of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish where he volunteered with their CCD program, his duties included rounding up any students who might have missed a class or two. In 1995, he and his wife were able to move to Hobe Sound, Fla., where they could enjoy retirement together.

He leaves his wife, Lucia G. (Salvato) Giles; his children, John T. Giles, Jr. and his wife, Carol Ann, of Waltham, Michael P. Giles and his wife, Virginia, of Hampton, Va., Kathleen A. Giles and her husband, Robert Nakashian, of Marion and Christina M. Brennan and her husband, Peter III, of Hobe Sound, Fla.; his grandchildren, Jason Giles and his wife, Julie, Nicole Velardi and her husband, Andrew, Jennifer, James, Christine and Marybeth Giles, Martha and John 'Jack' Nakashian and Paul and Julie Brennan; his great-grandchildren Kaitlyn and Gabriella Giles; his siblings, James M. Giles and his wife, Jeannette, and Mary T. Bozak of Waltham; his sister-in-law Mary Giles of Waltham and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late William, Andrew and David Giles and brother-in-law of the late Joseph Bozak.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jack's life by gathering for calling hours on Thursday, March 6, from 4-8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where his funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.