Clifford E. Allen

Clifford E. Allen, 88, of Bartow, FL, died Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008 at Bartow Memorial Hospital from congestive heart failure. Born July13th, 1920, in Newburyport, MA, Cliff retired to Bartow 17 years ago. Cliff was retired as the owner and operator of C. Allen Painting and Decorating, a four generation family business in Newburyport. He was a member of the Society of Painting and Decorating Contractors of Massachusetts. A veteran of WWII and Korean War, he served as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician and logged over 100 hours of flight time. He also received several decorations to include: American Theater and Asiatic Pacific Theater ribbons and Battle Stars as well as Korean and United Nations Service Medals. Cliff gave up his passion to fly to raise a family with his wife Marion. After raising five children, they retired to Florida, taking many cross-country trips to learn about their country and make many new friends.They were active square dancers and when traveling, joined dancers wherever they could. Marion, his wife of 58 years, died August 5, 2005. Cliff was a life member the Knights of Columbus and the American Yacht Club where he taught sailing, frequently raced his 19 foot Lightning and loved a good moonlight sail. In addition to sailing, he bowled, played the organ, loved woodturning, and was a master craftsman who could fix or devise a solution for anything-- a "real MacGyver." He continued woodturning until 2 weeks before his death. He is survived by his 2 sons; Clifford E. "Ted" Allen, Jr. of Newbury, MA and Richard T. Allen of Greenwood, ME; 3 daughters, Susan M. Allen of Madrid, Spain, Elizabeth B. Allen of Bethesda, MD, and Kristine A. Patti of Newbury, MA, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Services for Mr. Allen will be Thursday, Sept. 4th at 9:00 AM at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 2180 S. Kissingen Av e., in Bartow. Father Peter Mitchell officiating. A memorial service for both Cliff and his wife Marion will be held in Newburyport, MA at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made on behalf of Clifford E. Allen to the American Association of Wood Turners (AAW) Education Opportunity Fund, 75 West 5th Street, Suite 222, St Paul, MN 55102.