Giles Stedman Brown, a longtime summer resident of East Chop, died at his home in Mahwah, N.J., on March 13 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was an inspiration to those who shared his final journey.

Giles was born in Boston on Jan. 4, 1938, the son of Charles St. Croix Brown and Mary Stedman Brown, who died giving birth to her only child.

Skip, as he was known in his youth, was raised by his father in Dorchester and graduated from St. John’s Prep in Danvers in 1956.

After graduation from Cornell University in 1960, Giles entered the U.S. Navy, where he served as a cryptology officer from 1960 to 1964. Following his naval service, Giles embarked on a long career in the textile industry. A dedicated husband, father and friend, Giles was greatly admired for his vast knowledge of all things historical and his unparalleled sense of humor.

Giles was the beloved husband of Ruth Brown for 45 years; the devoted father of Deirdre Brown of Edgartown, Tracy Brown Pearson and her husband Josh Pearson of Tarrytown, N.Y., and Ruthie Brown of New York city; and the adoring grandfather of Eamon, Theo and Ava.

In the days following his passing, family and lifelong friends came from far and wide to celebrate his life. His first cousin, the Rev. Arthur Brown of Falmouth, offered a funeral mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Mahwah, N.J on March 17.