Lawrence Douglas "Larry" Allen, 85, passed away peacefully in the
comfort of his Waitsfield home on Sunday, January 10, 2010. Born in
Fletcher on July 16, 1924, he was the son of the late Harold and Ethel
(Jacobs) Allen. On June 21, 1946, Larry married the former Mary Joslyn
at the home of her parents in Waitsfield.
Larry attended schools in Bakersfield. Following his discharge from the
U.S. Navy in 1950, Larry worked as a truck driver for the former
Hunter-Bowen Co. in Warren for several years and then went on to become
an auto mechanic for Bonnette's Garage in Waitsfield Village and later
for Walker Motors in Montpelier. Always interested in hand crafting
wood, Larry became a carpenter and worked for Albert E. LaVanway Jr.
building homes and then worked on his own as a finish carpenter in the
Mad River Valley area.
Following his retirement, Larry crafted custom and Adirondack furniture
that he sold from his home, always taking pride in his designs and
workmanship.
He was a member of the Harry N. Cutting American Legion Post 59 in
Waterbury and in his leisure time enjoyed custom woodworking and was an
avid fisherman.
Larry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Allen of Waitsfield;
their children, Linda Allen of Waitsfield, Cheryl Kozak and her husband
Jerry of Bainbridge, NY, Larry Allen Jr. and his wife CarolLee of
Cuttingsville, and Jeffrey Allen of Waitsfield; 11 grandchildren and 12
great-grandchildren; two sisters, Catherine Eldred of Hardwick and
Elaine Aratare of Glens Falls, NY; a brother, Rodney Allen of
Northfield; a constant companion, "Squeaky," his feline pal; as well as
nieces, nephews and extended family. Four brothers predeceased him.
A Memorial Service celebrating Larry's life will be held from the
Waterbury American Legion Home at 16 Stowe Street on Friday, January
15, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. The family requests that
flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the
Central Vermont Humane Society, P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601. To
send online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com. Assisting
the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service
(802-244-7223) in Waterbury.
