He was born in New York City, New York to Edwin Elijah and Mary T. (Tommie) Allen on March 22, 1926. John grew up in Plattsburgh NY and was the oldest of 4, John, Joe, Bobby and Mary.
As an 18-year-old, John served as a radar operator in the United States Navy during WW II on the Destroyer Escort USS Key. After the Navy John went to NYC where he met Mary Ross while obtaining his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College using the GI Bill. They were married on September 4, 1948.
John managed large construction projects throughout New York and New Jersey while he and Mary were raising a young family. John moved the family to Lake Wales Florida in the early 60’s where he started Whitmire and Allen, a central Florida commercial and industrial general contractor. In the mid 70’s John moved the family once again to Tampa Florida and founded J. Allen Inc. a Tampa based commercial general contractor.
John was past president and director of multiple organizations but most proud to be a past president for the US Society of St. Vincent DePaul.
He is survived by his sister Mary Sochet of New York City, Daughter Mary Margret McGraw of Las Cruces, NM, Sons, Ross P. Allen of Lake Wales, FL, John M. Allen of Houston, TX and M. Dan Allen of Lutz, FL, 9 grandchildren (Robert and Greg McGraw, Zachary and Andrew Allen, Alesha Migliaccio and Jacob, John, Lois (L.E.) and Frances Allen) as well as 6 great grandchildren (Emme, John, Quinn, Jack, Max and Miller).
A memorial Mass will be held on January 22nd at 11:00am EST in New York, and a Graveside Service on January 27th at 1 pm EST at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, Largo FL and will be Live Streamed.
The following are the details for Zoom showing of the Memorial Mass on January 22:
Nina Dickinson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Zoom Mass for Father Allen
Time: Jan 22, 2021 10:45 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Funeral Mass Invitation 1-22-2021.docx
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Meeting ID: 817 7705 8811
Passcode: 991759
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The Graveside Service at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park on Wednesday January 27 will be Live Streamed.
The service may be viewed at www.centralbaymarket.com. The service password is John0343. The virtual room will open 15 minutes prior to the scheduled service start time.
Please note that the start of the live webcast will begin when the actual service begins.
In lieu of flowers, family has requested donations to Saint Vincent DePaul Charity at
www.svdpusa.org/
