BAR MILLS- David Hatch Allen, 87, also known as Dad, Grampa, and Dave, of Bar Mills, passed away peacefully at home on March 11, after a long illness.
David graduated from Standish High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Connie Gray in 1956. This started a lifelong partnership that resulted in 6 children, many home renovations, career ins and outs, health crises and recoveries, and all of the things that make life challenging and joyous.
David went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in education and two master’s degrees in math and science with the support of Connie, who managed to help him with his academics while balancing all the joys of pregnancy and motherhood. David taught and served as principal in schools from Downeast to Portland, where he completed his career in education
His love of teaching was practiced on his family as well. There was no home repair job that they were not trained to complete. Pouring concrete was an early skill they all learned, and have strenuously avoided since. There was not an OSHA regulation or child labor law that David did not break in his efforts to ensure that the kids knew how to take care of home and property.
In addition to formal education, David was a lifelong learner who threw himself into whatever was his latest interest. He loved history, especially the Civil War period, learned beekeeping from a former student, started a farm stand, and raised race
horses. He was a role model for lifelong learning, setting goals and working to achieve them.
David’s children and grandchildren thank him for Easter egg hunts with clues that included advanced math, horseshoe games, poker tournaments, and hours at the race track figuring out odds. Thanks also for loving our mother and believing so completely in family through thick and thin.
David leaves many family members and friends with wonderful memories. First, and foremost, his wife and life partner of 67 years, Connie Allen, his children , Laurie Allen, Darrell Allen, Colleen Allen Roig, Eric Allen, Craig Allen, and Madelyn Allen Johnson, and their spouses. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jesse Allen, Jordan Ossie, Johnna Ossie, Jacob Allen, Max Allen, Gabe Roig, Kyle Johnson, and Keith Johnson, as well as his sister, Sandra Manter. His family wishes that he could have had the chance to meet his first great grandchild but stories will be told so that the little one will know his great grampa.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday March 18 from 2 – 4 PM at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road (Rt. 22) in Buxton. Burial will be in the spring at South Buxton Cemetery.
David’s favorite winterwear- jeans and chamois shirts are welcome.
In lieu of giving flowers the family asks that those who are able send donations to Preble Street Resource Center at:
Development Department, Preble St, 55 Portland St., Portland, ME 04101.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com
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