Stanley Richard Allen

Stanley Richard Allen - January 14, 1932 – February 24, 2026

Stanley R. "Richard" Allen entered peacefully into eternity with God on February 24, 2026. He was born in Brockton on January 14, 1932, to Mabel (Sampson) and Almon Allen, and grew up in Rockland. He was predeceased by his three older siblings, Pauline, Corinne, and Fred. He remained in close touch with his dear niece, Carole Strobl of Colorado, and her sons, Michael and Mark.

Richard was baptized into the Catholic Church as a young teenager and attributed his conversion to Catholicism to his stepfather, Daniel Shea. As a young adult, he entered two monasteries — the Benedictine Monastery in Lisle, Illinois (where he was named Brother Gerard), and later Immaculate Conception Abbey in Missouri — before discerning that the monastic life was not his vocation.

After leaving the monastery, he met Marie Wilkinson, a prolific Catholic social activist in Aurora, Illinois, who found him a job in the rectory of Fr. Herman Porter as a cook. Marie became a cherished friend and second mother to Richard. During this time, he also met Joe Croce, and their close friendship lasted more than 60 years.

Richard later returned to Massachusetts and settled in Whitman, where he worked with his nephew Lee at the D.B. Gurney shoe tack factory for many years. He traveled frequently with Lee and friends, often on pilgrimage to St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, St. Anne de Beaupré in Quebec, the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, and on retreat to the Maronite Monastery in Petersham.

Richard loved daily Mass, praying the Rosary, Judy’s prayer group, and serving as a Perpetual Adoration adorer and leader at Holy Ghost Church in Whitman. His greatest joy each day was receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. He considered it his full-time calling to contact convents and monasteries throughout the United States, sharing prayer requests from the many people who sought his prayers.

He enjoyed coffee with friends from church, watching EWTN, and classic movies. He had an extraordinary memory, especially regarding the Catholic faith, history, and movie stars of his younger years.

Richard’s favorite saint was St. Martin de Porres, whose humility and prayerfulness he sought to emulate. Many have said they became better people through knowing Richard. He was granted his frequent prayer of living a long life, so that he might prepare well for eternal life with God.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to the visiting hours for Richard on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:00–10:00 AM at MacKinnon Funeral Home, 760 Washington Street, Whitman, MA. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 AM at Holy Ghost Church in Whitman. Due to the weather and snowfall, the burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name to Holy Ghost Church in Whitman or to Friends of the Unborn in Quincy.