Allen Phelps Knightly died October 15, 2016, at his home in Methuen. He was buried in West Parish Cemetery in Andover, Massachusetts at a private graveside ceremony, yesterday October 20, 2016.

Allen was born in Methuen, the son of Alfred and Laura Helen (Cress) Knightly.

He was a lifelong resident of Methuen and a 1962 graduate of the Tenney High School.

He received his Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering from Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, MA in 1962, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Lowell Technological Institute in Lowell, MA in 1968.

He was employed by the Raytheon Company in Andover, MA for 25 years.

He had five great lovers in life; Engineering, Travel, Flowers, Pipe Organs and Trains.

He was the church organist at the First Spiritualist Church in Methuen, MA for twenty years.

He travelled extensively for Raytheon Company from 1975 to 1993. After taking an early buy out package in 1993 from Raytheon, he went back to school and got his Travel Agents credentials from the Travel Education Center in Nashua, New Hampshire.

In 1998, he again changed careers and found a part time job at Flowers by Steve in Bradford, MA as a delivery driver who eventually found his niche in the flower business doing weddings.

His lifelong passion with pipe organs and the Methuen Memorial Music Hall led him to meet an outstanding organist on September 13, 2002 by the name of Felix Hell, to whom he became a devoted “Fan”.

After taking full retirement at age 62, he followed Felix’s concerts throughout the U.S., Canada and even to Felix’s home country of Germany.

He would often say, “Felix is a fantastic Organist… but an even better friend”.

Services were held under the direction of the Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. To send an online condolence, please visit, www.dewhirstfuneral.com.

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