Richard W. Allen of Speonk Dies January 20

Richard W. Allen of Speonk died on January 20. He was 85.

He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the oldest of three children born to his parents, the late Ruth and Warren Allen of Rumford, Rhode Island. His sister Joan resides in Virginia and he is predeceased by his younger brother Ernie.

He served in the United States Coast Guard, starting in Groton, Connecticut, then at sea, and later stationed at the East Moriches Coast Guard Station. He specialized in communications as a radioman. While serving in East Moriches, he met Barbara Ann Roschlau.

After serving his four years active duty in the Coast Guard and an additional two years in reserve, the couple married and started a family raising their daughter, Lori. He then began his 36 years of employment at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, retiring in 1998.

It was in 1969 that he was elected to membership in the Eastport Fire Department, volunteering for 53 years until his death. He served as the district secretary for the most recent 19 years. During his time of service and commitment, he had also served as the secretary of the fire department, as a captain of the fire police, and most reverently as a charter officer of the Benevolent Association.

He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, in 2000. He is survived by his daughter and her husband Ed Hamor; his grandson Russell Utter and wife Spencer; and his granddaughter Emily Utter. He was their beloved “PopPop.”

A wake will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Werner Rothwell Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach on Thursday, January 26. Eastport Fire Department Firematic Service and USCG Funeral Honors will begin at 7 p.m. There will be a church service at the red brick Remsenburg Community Church on Friday, January 27, at 11a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Eastport Fire Department (eastportfd.org) would be most appreciated by the family.