Lee Thomas Allen of Hampton Bays Dies September 3

Lee Thomas Allen died peacefully in his sleep on September 3 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 79.

He was born to Leroy and Hellen Allen on December 29, 1943, in Brooklyn. He grew up in Hampton Bays. Like his father’s service to his country in World War II, he served in Vietnam and left the service with an honorable discharge.

In 1968, he began a career with the New York Telephone company and retired in 1994. Not one to stay idle for long, Allen returned to work in 1995. His charm, no-nonsense approach and honest dealings helped him wrap up his working years as a successful salesman, according to his family.

His devotion to fellow veterans and community outreach motivated him to become more active in the Kiwanis Club, Westhampton VFW and the American Legion. Allen was an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and served on the vestry over the years. He firmly believed in service to the community and helping those in need through his affiliations with those organizations, his family said.

Allen loved the outdoors and was an active gardener, fisherman, birder, photographer and lifelong student of nature. He contributed to Quogue Wildlife refuge’s mission to educate the public about local wildlife and preserving their habitats.

He was a steadfast caregiver and provider for his family. His great love for his family was felt and expressed on a daily basis through his unending support and patient love, his family said. His influence on his family and friends will be long lasting and forever missed, they added.

His family greatly mourns his sudden absence and will miss the simple act of sitting with him to talk about life or just to hear his voice, laughter and wit, his family said. Allen loved life, but his family takes a small degree of solace knowing that he suffered as little as possible for only a brief time.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years Margaret (Peg); his two sons, Gregg and Jason and their wives Bea Abbe and Casey; three grandchildren; his sister Doreen; and brother Steven.

A wake was held at Scott’s Funeral Home in Hampton Bays on September 7. A funeral was held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Hampton Bays on September 8. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.