Douglas John "Doug" Allen

New London - Douglas "Doug" John Meldrum Allen, 69, of 549 Ocean Ave., New London, passed away on Sept. 15, 2015, after a lengthy illness at home.

Doug was born in Astoria, Queens, N.Y., to Claire Isabel (Meldrum) Allen and John Thomas Allen. He attended local grammar schools, Stuyvesant and Long Island City high schools and the University of Rhode Island.

He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in January of 1966, and was stationed on the USCGC Fairweather out of the Moorings in New London. Doug advanced to bosun's mate and coxswain, running search and rescue missions in Long Island Sound. During his four years of active duty and eight years of Reserve duty, he successfully rescued nearly one thousand people and was awarded the USCG Commendation Medal and the USCG Gold Life Saving Medal, two of the highest awards the Coast Guard bestows on its "lifesavers".

He was also relief lighthouse keeper on the Ledge Light Lighthouse and his last six months in the Guard was officer in charge of Execution Rocks Light Station in New York City Harbor.

Doug was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard in January, 1970 and became employed by Charles Pfizer and Co., starting in their preparations lab.

In December 1966, he married Lorraine "Lori" Ullmann at St. George's Episcopal Church in Astoria, N.Y. She joined him in New London and over their 48 year marriage, they lived in New London, Groton, Ledyard, and then back to New London. Their only child, Heather, was born at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in June of 1969.

Over his 31 year career at Pfizer Inc., Doug was ultimately tasked with establishing and running the Salt Screening and Polymorph Lab which he did with his usual intelligence and verve. He is cited on close to one thousand patents and was invited to become a member of the Royal Microscopical Society, one of six hundred members worldwide, with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as patron.

Doug was a volunteer for many organizations, primarily the Mystic Seaport Music Festival. He also was one of the first volunteers for Mystic Seaport's First Lantern Light Tours, playing "Silent Night" (and singing it in German) with his concertina for every show. He was thoroughly tired of the song by the end of that "gig" having sung it 15 times per night for the entire duration of the exhibit.

Doug was president of All Soul's Church, an enthusiastic member of the Mystic Highland Pipe Band, on the New London Port Authority, and a staunch and proud supporter and sponsor of the New London Police Department's K-9 Unit. He was a member of the New London Lodge of Elks #360, serving as secretary for five years and becoming a trustee. He was also a board member and volunteer at the Custom House in New London.

Doug's love and respect for the sea was mystical and uncanny. He was never happier than being on the water, sailing a boat with a beer in his hand. He was an extraordinary sailor, a very good archer and shot, scrimshander, wood worker, knife maker and could make a musical instrument out of almost anything. He was also humorous, kind, and inventive.

Loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather; chemist, musician, microscopist, mentor, and teacher; a Renaissance Man with a hefty dash of his famous hot sauce livening things up.

Doug is survived by his wife, Lorraine "Lori"; daughter and son-in-law, Heather Elaine Meldrum and Steven David Wydler, beloved twin grandsons, Duncan Friedrich Meldrum Alonso and Sebastian Francisco Meldrum Alonso, lovely granddaughter, Josephine Alexandra Meldrum Wydler and feisty youngest grandson, Robert Douglas Meldrum Wydler. He is also survived by his sister and her husband, Isabel Elaine Allen and Jeffrey Seaman; niece, Julia and nephew, Christopher Seaman, all of California; niece and husband, Samantha and Matthew Meier of Massachusetts, and niece, Katherine Turnbole of New York.

He was predeceased by his parents and an older sister, Stephanie Claire Turnbole.

The tapestry of many lives, both family and friends, is now forever torn.

A Celebration of Life will commence at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, at All Souls Unitarian Universal Congregation, 19 Jay St., New London. Celebrants are invited to a reception at All Souls at the end of the service. Burial is private, and there are no calling hours.

Thanks goes to the Center for Hospice Care and to the many, many friends who helped during these hours of need. It was so comforting to know they were all there.

Please omit flowers. A donation in Doug's memory to either All Souls Congregation, 19 Jay St., New London, CT 06320 or to the New London Maritime Society, 150 Bank St., New London, CT 06320, would be deeply appreciated.

Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, is assisting with the arrangements.

Please visit www.Byles.com to sign the guest book or to share a memory.