Allen Robert Hawes, 83, of Tewksbury, joined our Heavenly Father, on August 8th, 2026, at home surrounded by family.
Allen was a beloved son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, and friend. He was a man filled with humbleness and kindness that could not be matched. He was quiet in a room filled with noise, but in that room, his warmth made everyone feel welcome. Give him a table though, and he would sit with you and talk for hours. His life stories were legendary; a life story so surreal, filled with tragedy, love and bravery that he if he wrote a book it would have been a best seller.
Allen was born and raised in Melrose, Massachusetts. He was the oldest of four, and loved his parents and siblings deeply. Through his high school years, he would play on the baseball team and participate in track. His love of baseball is something he carried with him forever.
He was a man of strength and perseverance to the very end. Tragedy followed him starting in his early adult life, with the loss of his mother. Through continued loss and hardships, he never stopped moving forward, looking for his own happiness and life to settle into.
He proudly served in the United States Army for thirty-five years. His career path in the military lead him overseas, brought him some of his best friends (both human and fur- as he was a K9 Officer for much of his younger service years), and finally brought him to finish his career with fellow soldiers and friends at Fort Devens. The time at Fort Devens will forever remain special for his children, Robert and Christine, as they were able to visit their Dad’s friends and colleagues. Explore the base, get Klondike bars that Allen knew they would find in one of the offices, and explore the gardens that were behind the barracks. Allen kept much of his military career private to all, except a select few that would sit long enough at the table with him to talk.
Many did not know, that Allen was an extremely talented artist, once gaining the attention of producers at Walt Disney. He kept his artwork to himself, as a love and a hobby, later drawing for his children and giving them art work they can cherish forever.
In 1978, Allen met his now Wife, the love of his life, Debbie. The beginning of their story was the path that their 46 years of marriage would continue on; with him always following his infatuation and devotion to her. He loved her to the depths of his being until his last breath. Marrying in 1980, they would have two children together.
The greatest love that he held, was that of his children. No matter what the circumstance was, all he ever wanted was for every single one of his children to be happy, to find love, to build a life that they were proud of. His children were on his mind every minute of the day. The pride he held for all of them, the light that would come to his eyes when he found out one of their accomplishments and their life moments was like the sun shining through a window. For his daughter Christine and his son Robert, they always knew that they would have someone to pick them up when they needed it, to support them at all levels, and a Dad that would forever be so proud of them and everything they accomplished in life. The pride Allen had when Robert finished bootcamp for the United States Air Force and Christine crossed the stage at her law school graduation, is a pride and love that can never be matched on this Earth. Allen’s real love was being a Dad.
In 2008, he started to care for his daughter’s dog Bella. After a few months, Bella and Allen were an inseparable duo. Christine will say to this day, it was the best retirement gift and empty nesting gift he could have ever received. Where there was Al, there was Bella. That was his soul dog, and we know she was waiting for him when he walked through the doors of Heaven.
His motto was always, “treat others the way you would want to be treated”. This goes unsaid that he showed this kindness to everyone who crossed his path. He was the strongest man, filled with a gentle soul. Everyone who met Al, knew he was one of a kind, and that he would ensure they were treated with respect. He brought this caring nature into his job as an assistant counselor at a recovery center, working specifically with veterans who were suffering from alcohol addiction. Past clients will run into his daughter still and say, “your dad helped me so much, your dad was so kind to me during that time”. Nobody was ever treated less then with Al.
In 2019, Allen was given one more beautiful gift. His grandson, Anthony Robert. Of course, Anthony’s middle name has to be Allen’s middle name. Because, as Anthony would say, “he has the best Grampy in the whole world”. Allen’s eyes would shine bright when Anthony would enter the room. Anthony adored and admired his Grampy, his “soldier”, as any little boy who had the best Grampy in the world would. Even on the second to last day that Allen was with us, the moment Anthony walked through into his room, Allen became lucid, lighting up with his grandson in front of him.
He was an angel on this Earth, and it can be easily said, he is now an angel up above. God now has one of his best back.
Allen is survived by his beloved Wife, Debbie. He is survived by his youngest children, Robert and his partner Liz; his daughter (his forever little girl) Christine, her husband Anthony and their son Anthony Robert. He is also survived by his older children, Dan and his two children, Samantha and Dylan; Chris and his Wife, Errica; and his daughter Theresa, her husband Ken, and their son Nate. He is also survived by his little brothers; Steve and his Wife Pauline; and David and his Wife Audrey. He is survived by his friend and brother-in-law, Walter and his wife Karen. He is additionally survived by his “son by choice”, Michael and his Wife Gia. Allen leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom he always loved as his own; and friends and family that he loved dearly. Allen was predeceased by his beloved little sister Barbara and her husband Bob; his loving parents Marion and Robert; and his best friend and brother by choice, Jimmy.
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday August 13th, 2026 from 4-7PM at Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury. His funeral will take place on Friday morning at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by procession to Tewksbury Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Tewksbury Funeral Home.