Harry Allen

Harry C. Allen residing in East Dennis, MA, formerly of Brockton, MA peacefully passed at the Regal Health Care Center in Harwich, MA on October 11, 2024. He was 93 years young. Harry was the beloved husband of Janet M. Allen for 72 years. He was the loving father of Brian M. Allen and his partner Pam Fein of Port St. Lucie, Florida and Barry C. Allen and his wife Vicki of Athens, GA and daughter Kerry F. Shapiro and her husband Hugh S. Shapiro of Branford, CT and daughter in law Lisa Allen also of Port St. Lucie, FL. Harry was predeceased by his son Michael M. Allen. He was the cherished grandfather of Jon D. Gezotis and his wife Ellen, Danyelle M. Clark and her husband Elliot, Britt Brandon, Neal Allen and his wife Stephanie and Connor Allen. Also the beloved great grandfather of Sadie Clark, Chloe Clark, Lilly Brandon, Lonnie Brandon, JD Brandon and McKenzie and Madison Gezotis. Harry was the son of the Great Harry T. Allen who was a professional boxer from Brockton and his late mother Margaret C. Fitzgerald Allen as well as his adoptive parents, the late Frank Allen and Louise Robinson Allen.

Harry served with the US Army during the Korean War Conflict from 1948 through 1952 and was honorably discharged. He was in the US Army but was recruited by the US Air Force for their cross-country team and he won the half-mile championship in Japan while also winning a relay. Harry was also a swimmer in the service and played halfback for the Air Force football team which won the Japan Championship.

Harry attended:

Stonehill College and graduated from Bridgewater State College where he received his bachelors and masters degree.

From graduation at Bridgewater State College he became a teacher and coach at Bristol Agricultural High School and then went on to become a teacher and basketball coach at the old Brockton High School before he became a Track & Field Coach at Brockton High School. Harry became the Director Of Community Schools at Brockton High School in 1970 where he developed the Community School Program as well as Summerfest and The Get Ready Programs as well as numerous other city programs for the community.

Harry coached a powerhouse cross-country team in the 60’s, winning three state New England titles. In 1965 the Boxers lost three cross country meets but after that they didn’t lose a meet through 1970. He came back to coaching in 1985 where he was named Coach of the Year. The Boxers won the Suburban League Title in each season. The Boxers won the State Class A championship that spring. There are so many championships over his career that unfortunately not all can be listed.

Harry became Principal of Brockton High School in 1973-1974

Harry became President of the National Community Education Association (NCEA) 1981-1982 as he displayed Brockton’s programs to people all over the world in a progressive positive setting.

Harry was inducted into the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Hall of Fame 1992 as well as Brockton High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Brockton Sports Athletic Hall of Fame 2021 along side his father Harry T. Allen and his daughter Kerry F. Allen Shapiro at the same time (an unprecedented event).

Visiting Hours will be held at Doane Beal & Ames, 729 MA-134, South Dennis, MA on Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The funeral procession will gather at the funeral home following the service.

Internment will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne following the service October 24, 2024. There will be a reception following the service to celebrate Harry’s life at Mezza Luna at 253 Main Street, Buzzards Bay.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family respectively asks with gratitude to please consider making a memorial contribution in Harry’s honor to an organization listed below:

Save Our Sports is a 501(c) charitable organization that supports all sports in Brockton and is one reason that helps continue to make Brockton, MA the true City of Champions. To make a donation, checks can be made out to BHS Sports Foundation Incorporated and mailed to Attention Kevin Karo- Athletic Director Brockton High School, 470 Forest Avenue Brockton, MA 02301