Lawrence W. "Flash" Allen

AUBURN -- Lawrence W. "Flash" Allen of 42 Fern St., Auburn, formerly of Jay, died peacefully at CMMC on Saturday, Jan. 5 surrounded by his family, with his wife holding his hand. He was born Feb. 16, 1927, in Farmington, the son of Roger and Susie Grant Allen.

He attended Jay Schools and graduated from Jay High School in 1945 as valedictorian of his class. Upon graduation he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in the infantry and as an orderly. He re-enlisted into the Air Force and served as a medic in Goosebay, Labrador.

In 1950 he was married to Gladys Knox, who survives. He worked for International Paper Co. In Jay, for 37 years where he was a scaler and he also worked in the lab. He was a Charter Member of Local #14 U.P.I.U and had been an officer. He was a member of the I.P. Quarter Century Club. He had been a member of Lane-Dube Amvets in Jay.

He was a member of the North Jay Grange where he had held various offices. He also belonged to Excelsior Pomona Grange #5. He was a trustee of the Jay Village Water District for many years. He was an avid fisherman and loved to watch the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics.

He loved his family and his life centered around them. He asked for so little and gave so much. Besides his wife, he is survived by his four sons, Larry "Flash" Allen and his wife, Tina, of Portland, Barry M. Allen and his wife, Dennise D. Whitley-Allen, of Norway, David B. Allen and his wife, Bonnie, of Mexico, and Christopher L. Allen and his wife, Betty, of Auburn, with whom he made his home.

He is survived by four grandsons, Daemian Allen and Shannon Allen of Portland, Micah Allen of Dover, N.H., and David J. Allen of Mexico; also a granddaughter, Sarah Allen of Farmington, step-granddaughters Sarah Myles of Rumford and Lisa Whitley of Norway, step-grandson Mark Whitley and his wife, Michelle, of South Hampton, N.H., and step-great-grandson Sam Whitley and his wife, Stacy, of Hope and a step-great-granddaughter Bailey Holloway of Norway; also a step-great-grandson Connor Whitley of South Hampton, N.H., and a step-great-granddaughter Brenna Whitley of South Hampton, N.H.; also a step-great-great-granddaughter, Tessa Whitley of Hope and a step-great-great-grandson Brayden Swan of Hope. He is also survived by two sisters, Janet Diaz of Turner and Pauline Duguay and her husband, Edmond, of Livermore and Florida. Also a brother Lt. Col. Harold Grant of Virginia Beach and Fort Myers, Fla., and by a brother-in-law Kenneth Dube of Jay, and a sister-in-law Geneva Knox Breakfield of South China. Also by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Linwood Allen, and a sister, Maxine Dube, also by a twin brother.