John Allen

John Winfield Allen, Jr. 1922-2012Berkshire Life Officer World War II Veteran John Winfield Allen, Jr., 89, of Sugar Hill, Dalton, formerly of Brighton Avenue, Pittsfield, and prior to that, a 40 year resident of Washington Mountain Road, Dalton, died Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Warren, Ohio, on September 24, 1922, son of Ruth (Gillard) Allen and John W. Allen, Sr., he graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1941 and from Clark University, Worcester, in 1947. During World War II, he served in the United States Army, 100th Infantry Division, in France and was awarded two Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star. He was discharged in 1946. Mr. Allen entered Clark University in Worcester in September 1941 with interruption for military service from 1942 until May 1946. He returned to Clark after his discharge and graduated in August 1947. While in the service, he received two years credit in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia. He holds the F.L.M.I. degree from the Life Office Management Association and the C.L.U. degree from the American College of Insurance. Mr. Allen was a member of the Boy Scouts of America most of his life. In 1974, he was awarded the Silver Beaver, the highest award for adult scout leaders. He was a professional scouter, serving as District Executive in both the Framingham and Boston Councils. He was also their Camp Director. He became a Claims Examiner for Paul Revere Life Insurance Company in Worcester before moving to The Berkshires in 1958 to become the Manager of Health Claims for Berkshire Life Insurance Company. He became an Officer and Health Claims Secretary in 1965. In 1970, he became Director of Claims and held that position until his retirement in 1981. He was on the Executive Board and served on various committees of the International Claims Association. He was President of the New England Claims Association and a member of the New York Health Club and Eastern Life Claim Conference. Mr. Allen was founder, President, and member of the Votre Soiree Dance Club. He was a member of the John Whittall Lodge, AF & AM, in Shrewsbury. He served on many civic boardsCivitan Club, Dalton Lion's Club, Dalton Board of Appeals, the Republican Party, President of Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, United Way of The Berkshires, Winter Carnival Committee, Community Concerts Association, Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, and on the Board of Elder Services of Berkshire County. He was a very active member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pittsfield. He was a vestryman, senior warden for three years, Sunday School teacher, member of the Christian Education Committee, Music Committee, Choir member, Lay Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Boy Scout Troop 6 Committeeman, Young People's Advisor, Every Member Canvas, Men's Forum, Chairman of the Renovation Committee of St. Stephen's Church in 1984, and a member of the Endowment Fund Committee. Mr. Allen was an avid reader, camper, and golfer. He also enjoyed dancing, fishing, traveling, boating, and woodworking. He was a wonderful kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He would always stop what he was doing and answer a question or help with your project. He leaves his wife of 68 years, Doris (Maguire) Allen, whom he married May 3, 1944; his son, John W. Allen , III and wife JoAnn of W. Springfield, Mass.; his daughter, Cynthia Allen-Murphy and husband Richard of Bridgewater, Mass.; a brother-in-law, William H.K. Maguire, Jr. and wife Madelyn of Rutland, Mass. He also leaves his grandchildren, Kira A. Thompson and her husband, Scott, Sean J. Allen, and his wife, Jessica, Luke A. Allen, Jacquelyn A. Murphy, and Benjamin J. Murphy; and three great grandsons, Cody J. Allen, Connor K. Allen, Brayden S. Thompson, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Gertrude (Allen) Munson and Doris (Allen) Marcoux and his brother, Abbott Allen. FUNERAL NOTICE: A memorial service for John W. Allen, Jr. will be held Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pittsfield. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Auburn, Mass, at a later date. There will no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Allen may be made to the Boy Scouts of America or to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.