David R. Allen, Sr., 93, of Ipswich
Road, Boxford, formerly of Topsfield and Saugus and husband of the
late Leona (Batchelder) Allen, died Sunday, November 27, 2011 in
his home following his long illness.
Born in Saugus January 13, 1918 son
of the late Robert T. and Margaret (Russell) Allen, he was raised in
Saugus, a 1936 graduate of Saugus High School. As a young man he
worked in the families hardware, Allen’s Hardware Store in Saugus,
entering the Army in 1942. He served in France and England with
Army Air Corps as an air traffic control officer. He was
instrumental in establishing the Orly Airfield in France.
Discharged as a Captain he returned to Saugus and employment in the
families business from which he retired in 1994. For thirty five
years the Allens made their home and raised their family in
Topsfield, residing in Boxford for the past five years. Mr. Allen
was a longtime member of the Byfield Parish Church and was a sixty
year member of the Saugus American Legion Post #210.
He is survived by two sons, David
R. Allen, Jr. and his wife Merril of Boxford and Peter G. Allen of
Manchester, NH; seven grandchildren Jessica Strzepek of Georgetown,
Nathaniel Allen of Seattle, WA, John Allen of Raeford, NC, Benjamin
Adelman of Boxford, Hannah Menzer of Malden, and Sarah Adelman and
Eli Adelman both of Topsfield, and eleven great-grandchildren.
His funeral service will be held
graveside in the Riverside Cemetery, Saugus at a later date.
Arrangements are under the
direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. Memorial
contributions in his name may be made to the VNA Care Network and
Hospice, 5 Federal Street #2, Danvers, MA 01923.
