1948 – 2015
WATERFORD — Jeffrey Allen of Waterford, 67, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, at home, with his wife by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on Feb. 27, 1948, a son of Rex and Geraldine (Gallaway) Allen. Raised in Lovell, he graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1966 and attended the Auburn School of Commerce. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam in a combat engineering unit.
Upon returning home in 1970, he married Barbara MacDonald of Waterford (formerly of Arlington, Mass.) and they settled in Waterford to raise their family.
Jeff was a hard-working and conscientious man. Over the years, he worked for Cianbro, C.N. Brown and PK Construction. For over 20 years, he transported manufactured homes throughout New England for the local modular home companies, a job he truly loved. He eventually started his own business, Northern Home Transport, which he ran successfully for several years before retirement. He also enjoyed working in the woods, and spent many winters logging small woodlots in the Waterford area.
Jeff enjoyed playing guitar in addition to fishing, camping, history and reading. He enjoyed cruises to various ports of call, as well as recent vacations to Quebec City and Prince Edward Island. Quiet and thoughtful, Jeff enjoyed nothing more than sitting down and talking with family and friends. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, and he was the best grandfather anyone could hope for. He loved to play guitar with his grandson, and would just as happily be a client at his young granddaughters’ “spa.” He instilled in his children and grandchildren the values of honesty, integrity, love of family, an appreciation for music and, ultimately, bravery in the face of adversity.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Waterford; daughter, Lori Allen and her husband, Erik Laramee, of Maynard, Mass.; daughter, Kimberly Bernero and her husband, Craig, of Upton, Mass.; grandchildren, Kyle, Julia and Grace Bernero, all of Upton, Mass.; sister, Jane Perry and her husband, Dennis, of South Paris; sister, Jeannie Nelson and husband, Bradley, of Winslow; sister, Joanne Allen and her partner, J. Quinn, of Bowdoin; sister-in-law, Linda Allen of Waterford; brother-in-law, John Barker of Waterford; mother-in-law, Dorothy MacDonald of Waterford; brother-in-law, Charles MacDonald and his wife, Linda, of Waterford, brother-in-law, William MacDonald and wife, Sarah, of Lovell; and many nieces, nephews and longtime friends.
He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Nancy Barker; and brother, Neil Allen.
Jeff and his family would like to express their deep appreciation to all of the employees and physicians at Stephens Memorial Hospital who cared for him with such compassion and kindness over the past seven months. A special thank-you to Brian Nolan, MD, the Oncology Team, and John and Doreen Simmons.
Condolences and tributes may be expressed at www.chandlerfunerals.com.
Send questions/comments to the editors.