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The Giants' Biggest Booster

Christopher Allingham loved his family, and he loved the Giants. A season ticketholder, he never missed a home game. He even roped his sons, Christopher, 6, and Kyle, 4, and various relatives and friends into joining him. "He was like a kid," said his brother-in-law, Craig Kepple. "He was just having a good time." The night before a game, Christopher, 36, would usually pack up the portable grill, marinate the steaks, and dig out his Giants T-shirt, sweatshirt and ball cap at his home in River Edge, N.J.

The next day, he would round up the fans for a tailgate party at the stadium before the kickoff. A few weeks ago, he took his sons to a preseason game. "They loved it," said his wife, Donna. "He was a good husband and a wonderful father."

The regular season was supposed to start last Sunday.

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on September 18, 2001.

Christopher Allingham, an adoring father

Back at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel, Christopher Edward Allingham, 36, of River Edge was on the freshman football team.

That year, he broke his collarbone, ending his short-lived football career, but his love for the game never faded, said his mother, Patricia Allingham.

On game day, Mr. Allingham, a Giants season ticketholder, would head to the Meadowlands, set up his tailgate party, sometimes marinating steaks or other favorite foods, all in preparation for watching his favorite team hit the gridiron.

A devoted and adoring father, he often took his boys, Christopher, 6, and Kyle, 4, with him to the games.

"He was totally devoted to his sons," said his mother.

On Sept. 11, Mr. Allingham, a municipal bond broker for Cantor Fitzgerald Securities, was on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower. He remains among those who are missing.

"My children are going to miss out on a great father," said his wife of eight years, Donna Allingham.

Last year he coached his older son's Little League team and was involved with the boys in other sports activities, his wife recalled.

Raised in Holmdel from the time he was 6 years old, Mr. Allingham graduated from St. John Vianney High School in 1983. He graduated from St. Peter College in Jersey City in 1988.

He was a member of the New York Municipal Bond Club. He was also a member of the Traffic and Safety Committee in his old hometown.

His mother said Mr. Allingham, one of five children, was a wonderful son. Even though he was very busy with work and family, several times a week he would call just to say hello, his mother said.

"Even my other children said he was the best of us. He was just a very sweet guy," his mother said. "My heart is breaking for Donna, his wife."

For days they were "hoping against hope" that he would be rescued, his mother said.

Besides his wife and two sons, Mr. Allingham is survived by his parents, William and Patricia Allingham of Holmdel; two sisters, Katherine Clark of Easton, Pa., and Margaret Ciccarelli of Lake Forest, Ill.; and two brothers, William Jr. and James of Hoboken.

Profile by Kathy Barrett Carter published in THE STAR-LEDGER.