David Samuel Giles

David Samuel Giles, 79, of Groton, MA, passed away suddenly on August 4, 2023. David was born on June 8, 1944 to Elodie Inglee Giles and William J. Giles in Whitehall, NY. After graduating from Hudson Falls High School, he went on to study Education at SUNY Plattsburgh.

After graduation, David began teaching at public high schools, then completed a degree in Education Supervision and Administration and transitioned into administration roles. He was a public school principal and rounded out his career with several appointments as superintendent for larger districts. He retired from Rondout Valley School District in the NY Hudson Valley in 1999. Other districts he managed in upstate NY were the Seneca Falls School District, the Oriskany School District, and the Laurens School District.

In 1966 he married Gretchen Decker Giles, going on to have two children, Christopher David Giles of San Diego, CA and Naomi SG Marr of Pepperell, MA (with son-in-law David Marr, Jr.). They were married for 57 years. They loved to travel and visited many states and countries in their retirement.

He is predeceased by his mother Elodie, his father William, his brother Buzzy Giles, and his sister Nancy Giles Carlise. He is survived by Gretchen, Christoper, Naomi, two grandchildren, Owen David Marr and Annalise Paige Marr of Pepperell, MA, and sister Eliza Giles Lapoint. The family is lucky to have sisters, cousins, aunts, and uncles – among others – who have been there to support them over the years.

Both David and Gretchen were committed to public service. In addition to his choice of career, David was also heavily involved in various church organizations, Habitat for Humanity, and the Red Cross. His hobbies included supporting his grandchildren, woodworking, and golf – although he was distinctly better at the first two than the latter. David was also an avid boater and loved both sailing and yacht cruising in the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes regions of NY.

There will be a memorial service on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 1PM at the Hurley Reformed Church, 11 Main Street, Hurley, NY 12443. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Hurley Volunteer Fire Department at 24 Wall Street, West Hurley, NY, 12491 or 845-679-2013 or the Hurley Reformed Church at 11 Main Street, Hurley, NY, 12443.