Obituary of Richard Connor Allen

" Southhampton, Richard Connor Allen, 84, of Coleman Rd. died Tuesday, June 4, 2002 at Baystate Medical Center. He was the son of the late Frank Russell Allen Sr and Ruth Marie (O’Connor) Allen. He was born in Suffield, CT on December 10, 1917 and was educated in Agawam schools. After returning wounded (for which he was awarded the Purple Heart and many other medals) from active service in Normandy during World War II, he worked for the A & P Tea Company for 34 years, retiring in 1981 as head cashier. He has resided in Agawam, East Longmeadow, Brimfield, and Southampton. He leaves his wife of 20 years Yvette (LeHenry) Allen, his children Susan Myshrall and her husband Denny and Becky Erban and her husband Dick. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Matthew, Timothy, Jeffrey, and Anna Myshrall and Nickolas Erban, his sister Eileen Melnick and her husband Steven , nieces and nephews John Melnick, Pamela Lynch, Nadine Hughes, and Frank Russell Allen III, a brother-in-law, Paul LeHenry and many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife of 39 years Barbara (Chandler) Allen and his two brothers Howard and Frank Allen, Jr. Mr. Allen was very active in civic affairs in Brimfield and Southampton. In Brimfield, he held the following offices: Fire Department member, Captain and Lieutenant for many years; Civil Defense Director 1958-1963; Selectman 1963-1981 (chair for 10 years); Chief of Police from 1965-1976; Hampden County Selectman’s Association (President 1968-1970); Mass. Selectman’s Association (Executive board member 1968-1972) In Southampton, he held the following offices: Finance Committee 1984-1988; School Building Committee 1987-1988; Personnel Policy Board 1989; Housing Task Force 1991; Selectman from 1988 until the time of his death (chair for many of those years) He received commendations from President Clinton, the Massachusetts State Legislature, Boy Scouts, Massachusetts Bicentennial Commission, and many other organizations. He was active in the Brimfield Congregational Church as a Laymen’s Representative and Deacon. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW and served as an officer for the Order of Masons and Eastern Star. The funeral will be on Monday at 11:00am at the Brimfield Congregational Church. Calling hours are Saturday from 7-9pm & Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. Donations in his memory may be made to the Police or Fire Department in Southampton, MA 01073. "