Allan J. Allan

Allan J. Allan, 83, of Nanticoke, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 29, 2009, surrounded by family, after a lengthy illness.

He was born March 12, 1926 in Wilkes-Barre, a son of the late John and Selma Allan.

Allan was a past board member of Mercy Hospital, past board member of Luzerne County Community College, past board member of First Eastern Bank advisory board, past president of Nanticoke Kiwanis, past president of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, longtime member of the Westmoreland Club, Wyoming Valley Country Club, N.E.P.A Automobile Association and was a member of Masonic Lodge 54, Nanticoke and Irem Temple.

Allan was a Lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II, and also served with the Army Infantry during the Korean War.

Allan attended G.AR High School until his senior year, when his family moved to Nanticoke, where he graduated from Nanticoke High School and later attended and graduated from Wilkes College.

After college, Allan went to work with his father, John E. Allan, and in 1950 established his Scrap Recycling Company in Nanticoke. Out of great respect for his father, he named his business John Allan and Son. A few years later, Allan expanded his business for the first time and the company name changed to Allan’s Scrap Yard. In 1976, due to forced relocation, after being totally under water from the Agnes Flood, Allan moved the company to Wilkes-Barre, expanded a second time, and established what is now called Allan Industries Recycling Center.

Allan Industries will soon celebrate 60 years in business, and because of Allan’s stewardship, his company is considered one of the largest recycling centers in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Allan was also very active with the recycling industry trade organization at that time called the Institute of Scrap Iron And Steel, or I.S.I.S. He was past president of the Central PA Chapter and a national board member of I.S.I.S.

Allan loved antique cars and was an owner of many through the years. For many years, he attended numerous antique car shows, where several of his cars won national first place awards. His prize possession was an exquisite, shiny red (his favorite color) 1932 Packard, which he sometimes drove with great pride and enthusiasm.

Allan was preceded in death by a sisters, Mary and husband, Harold Welch; Martha and husband, George Brody; Rose and husband, Leonard Tucker; nephews, Steven Brody and Robert Allan Wench Jr.

Allan is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Catherine Morrash Allan; sons, Richard J. Allan and wife, Patricia; John David Allan and wife, Susan; grandchildren, Alana, Nicole, Brittney Allan, Lori Bonomo; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are tonight (Friday) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. from Mamary-Durkin Funeral Service, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre, with services held at 9:30 a.m. at St. Marys A.O. Church, 905 S. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery, Hanover Township.

Those who desire may give memorial contributions to the Allan J. Allan Memorial Fund, c/o Allan Industries, P.O Box 999, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703, which will benefit his church.