Obituary of Donald Allen

Donald Charles Allen of Roscoe, NY passed away at home, surrounded by his family on January 10, 2014 after complications from a stroke and cancer. He was 71.

Don was born in Margaretville, NY and moved from the Pepacton Reservoir to Roscoe with his family in 1949. In 1961, he graduated from Roscoe Central School. Don received a degree as a Practitioner of Barber Services from the Journeyman Barber's International Educational School in Schenectady, NY before obtaining his license in 1962 as a barber from the American Barber Institute in New York, NY. He began his career as a barber in Liberty and successfully owned and operated a barber shop in Roscoe for 20 years. He married his high school sweetheart Julie Marks on January 30, 1965 and continued to call Roscoe his home. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1964 and served as a military policeman until he was honorably discharged in 1966. While stationed in Trois Fontain, France he enjoyed traveling through Europe with his wife. He obtained expert pistol and rifle marksmanship medals from the National Defense Service. Upon returning home in 1967 he secured his real-estate license and began working part-time for Elliott and Pomeroy. In 1975 he began working for the NYS Racing and Wagering Board. During his 37 year career he hosted many critical roles at the race track and proudly retired as a Racing Judge.

Over the years, he served the local community as a Notary, and a member of the following associations: Town of Rockland Democratic Committee; Tennanah Lake Association; Roscoe Chamber of Commerce; Roscoe Kiwanis; Roscoe & Rockland Ambulance Corp.; Rockland Fire Department; Roscoe Rockland Youth Committee; Roscoe O & W Museum; Roscoe Community Nursing Home; The American Legion; and Dundas Castle Restoration Committee. His hobbies included wood working, painting, gardening, cooking, golfing , hunting, fishing, reading and traveling. However, his favorite pastime was collecting and sharing local history knowledge.

He is survived by his daughter Laurie Allen-Kuehn of Roscoe, her husband Perry and his granddaughter Elizabeth; son Michael Allen of Callicoon, NY, his wife Kori and his grandchildren Caden and Taylor; sister Shirley Wood of Roscoe, sister-in-law Re Marks of Springfield, NJ, Sue Marks of Chester, PA, and Patty Hendrix of Virginia Beach, VA; nieces Jillian Marks of Springfield, NJ; Judy Bennett of Downsville, NY; Debbie Forsblom of Checotak, OK; Amy Marks of Wilmington, DE; Michelle Griffth of Cochranville, Pa; Merrily Lynch of Cochecton, NY; nephew Frank Wood of Walton, NY; and many great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Julie of 47 years; his parents Agnes and Charlie Allen; and brother-in-law Steve Marks.

Visitation will be Friday, January 17, 2014 from 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm at the Harris Funeral Home on Railroad Avenue in Roscoe, NY. Funeral Services will be Saturday, January 18 at 11:11 am in the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Spring at Beaverkill Cemetery, Beaverkill, NY.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Don's name may be made to the Julie and Don Allen Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Roscoe Central School PO Box 429, Roscoe, NY 12776.