Peter Eugene Tilton

Hampton- Peter Eugene Tilton Sr. left us on January 20, 2024 after a brief illness. Pete was born June 25, 1935 at Deaconess Hospital in Boston. He resided at 125 and 133 Landing Road his entire life. He attended school in Hampton, and later the Davis Vocational School in Dover where he graduated in 1954. An industrious lad, he was hired by Homer Johnson to shovel snow on Towle Avenue before he had a driver's license. He worked on and off for Homer until 1967 when he took a position for NHDOT at the Charter Street Garage in Exeter. He had a natural aptitude for operating heavy equipment of all kinds and was as good a road grader driver as has ever pushed a blade. Between 1975 and his retirement in 1998 he worked at Hampton DPW doing everything asked of him, be it cutting brush or keeping the snow at bay from beach to Exeter and back. He was especially proud to have helped repair one of the old fish houses at Bicentenial Park. The young fellows who he worked with gave him the nickname "Old timer" not because of his years but because of his attention to detail, and for encouraging them to do it the "right way" and take pride in their work. After retiring he owned his own antique road graders and did jobs as Pete's Grader Service. For many years Pete was a call man on the Hampton Fire Department where he fought fires and helped squash beach riots in the 1960's. Around 1957 he enlisted in the SeaBees with some close buddies and they trained in Davisville, RI; they had some interesting road trips during his four years of service! Pete obtained his first lobster license at age 14 in 1949 and hauled traps every year until 2021 thanks to kind friends who helped him on his trusty boat, Sea Hoss. Governor Chris Sununu issued him a Citation for his 73 years on the sea which he was happy to show anyone who came in the house. NH Fish and Game said no fisherman had actively lobster fished continuously that many seasons at the time he retired. In 1981 he founded Defiant Lobster Company with wife Joan and son Pete Jr. and was a beloved presence there for many seasons. His father Lawrence was a founding member of the Hampton River Boat Club, and Pete was the longest active member, having paid his $1 dues at age 16 in 1951. Growing up family friends, Pete and Joan married one very rainy evening October 2, 1959. They had two sons; Peter E. Tilton Jr. of Hampton NH, and David, who died tragically in 1967. Pete loved exploring the brooks and streams of NH and Maine in search of brook trout as well as trolling for ice-out salmon on Winnipesaukee with his son. "Tobac", as he was known to his comrades in the deer woods, was always a welcome sight to see, and his laconic "Tobac is here" on the walkie talkie a reassuring voice when he joined the hunt. He was an avid smelt fisherman and made many trips to James Eddy, as well as the Squamscott River over the last 40+ seasons. An expert clam digger in his day, in his golden years he was content to sit in a sunny spot and watch Pete Jr. gather oysters along the shore of Great Bay. While a sub- par vegetable gardener, he was a first-rate blueberry picker as recently as this past summer, navigating among the bushes in his rollator (AKA "4-wheeler"). Pete and Joan traveled all over northern New England and Nova Scotia over their years together, and in later summers they made an annual stay at Ocean Gate Resort in Boothbay. They had a favorite room reserved for them overlooking the coastal waters where Pete could watch the local lobstermen ply their trade. Joan would make them native crab meat sandwiches for lunch and they always brought some home to share with lucky friends. No longer up for the rigors of traveling in his last years, he greatly enjoyed having friends visit him at home. In a comfy chair on a summer night by the firepit, regaling lucky companions with stories of his life in his distinctive accent and voice- he was in his glory! Pete was able to enjoy his recliner, overlooking the river and marsh in the care of his family and his cat buddy Felix until his final days. Hampton and all he touched lost a very kind soul when he passed away. There will be a celebration of Pete's life in the spring at Hampton River Boat Club; please check back on this page for details. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society or Southeast Land Trust. The last road is graded, the last trap hauled, the last fire fought and the last smelt caught. The last cuddle with your cat, embrace with your son and kiss good night from your beloved wife have been shared. There is no more work for you to do. Your family is safe, and your worries are at an end. You can break trail in your snowshoes and we'll follow along soon enough. We'll be alright, and won't ever forget you, my father.

Peter Eugene Tilton

June 25, 1935 - January 20, 2024