with Deacon Fred LaSpina officiating.
Donald V. Allen, unofficial “Mayor of Paul Street,” 83 dies.
Long-time Harrisonburg resident, Donald Vincent Allen, 83, died peacefully at home on July 8, 2015 surrounded by family.
Preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Marion Margaret Caffrey Allen and daughter Elizabeth Ann Allen, he is survived by sister Nancy Allen Riddel of Vienna, Virginia, son Jack Allen of Portland, Oregon and daughter Caroline Susan Allen of Harrisonburg. He leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Known as Don to his family and friends, he moved to Harrisonburg in 1964, having purchased the Blakemore house at 250 Paul Street. Forrest Blakemore of Blakemore’s Florist built the Craftsman style home in 1924. Over the years he took a keen interest in the preservation and safety of his neighborhood and ultimately succeeded in getting curbside bump-outs installed on Paul Street. Designed to slow down traffic in the fast growing community, he was once featured in the Daily News-Record holding a hairdryer pointed at speeding vehicles, imitating a radar gun, thus the sobriquet, “Mayor of Paul Street.”
He was happiest living and working in the Shenandoah Valley, his adopted southern home, having been born and raised in the north. He graduated from high school in Pittsburgh, PA, played briefly in semi-pro football, attended one year of college and then served 2 years in the Army during the Korean War. During his time in the Army he discovered “old timey” music of rural Virginia, which led to a life-long love of Country and Bluegrass. At the time of his death, he had an encyclopedic knowledge of the genres.
The descendant of William Brown of Memphis, NY, who served in the NY State 1st Volunteers, under Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, both during the Civil War and immediately afterwards, Don spent a lifetime researching and collecting information about this period of American history. He maintained one of the most extensive collections of books on the Civil War in the State of Virginia. He researched his genealogy back to England in the 16th century. He was a direct descendant of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Maryland a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Employed by Sherwin-Williams most of his adult life, he oversaw the building of a new branch office in Harrisonburg in 1970. He retired in 2002 from the Martin Senour Company. Paint was in his blood, as many knew. He served for many years on the Parish Council at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the two charities Don supported: The American Cancer Society at 420 Neff Ave #210, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 and the Rockingham/Harrisonburg SPCA at P.O. Box 413 Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is handling arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.
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