Frederick E. Allen Jr.
(Sunday, August 10, 2003)
LAWRENCE -- Frederick E. Allen Jr., 61, died peacefully on Friday August 8, 2003, at York Hospital in York, Maine, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Fred was born in Lawrence and educated in Andover, Mass. He graduated from the Pike School in 1956 and from Andover High School with the Class of 1960. Fred was an outstanding athlete, holding records in football and track at Andover High.
"Fred loved his life and was a "Friend to All," always the first one to help in any way, if Fred couldn't do it he knew someone who could, and seemed like he always made it happen. He could even run a backhoe when needed" said Kathy McGurren, Fred's friend and former secretary.
Fred was recognized for his good works by the Lawrence Exchange Club as one of the first recipients of their Book of Golden Deeds. The award was presented at a sold-out ceremony at the former Bishops Restaurant. Fred was also a member of the Lawrence Exchange Club, where he worked every year at their major fund-raiser, Octoberfest.
Fred was an enthusiastic and generous supporter of local fire and police departments, especially the Lawrence Fire and Police Departments. He was honored by the Lawrence Fire Department numerous times but especially by being named an honorary member of Local #146, he was on the call list of the department responding to general alarm fires, and he usually brought the coffee and his faithful companion, Hobo.
"It was not unusual to look up and see Fred grab and drag a hose line at two in the morning to help his friends out at fire scenes" said his longtime friend, retired Lawrence firefighter David Solomon.
Because of his devotion to these men and women, he was a member of and received special recognition from the 100 Club of Massachusetts, which supports the families of deceased members of the fire and police departments. Fred so loved animals that he purchased a K-9 dog for the Lawrence and Methuen Police Departments
A beloved funeral director, Fred owned and operated the Frederick E. Allen & Son Funeral Home, formerly of Lawrence and Andover. Fred worked with his father in Andover and Lawrence for 17 years until his father's death in 1979. He then operated the business on Broadway in Lawrence and was there until he semi-retired in 1999, joining the staff of the Cataudella Funeral Home in Methuen, Mass. He was a member of the Mass. Association of Funeral Directors and National Association of Funeral Directors.
"Fred and I went to funeral director's school together in 1963," said Joseph Cataudella. "In fact, Fred and I were driving home together the Friday afternoon that President Kennedy was assassinated. Within a few days everyone knew and liked Fred. Fred was truly concerned about everybody and was willing to help everybody. He will certainly go straight to heaven."
He received awards from the Methuen High Rangers Boosters; he was a Mason and he was a member of the Holy Family Men's Guild.
In 2002, Fred retired to Maine with his wife, Cheryl, and his dogs and cats. Fred made friends quickly wherever he went; people loved Fred because he truly loved people.
Fred is survived by his wife Cheryl (Miller) of Ogunquit, Maine, son John J. Broderick of Quincy; two sisters, Martha and her husband George D. Walsh of Andover, and Priscilla and her husband Robert Doel of Fairfield, Maine; and two nieces, Elizabeth D. Walsh of Salisbury, and Katherine Erin Condon of Townsend.
Calling hours will be tomorrow (August 11, 2003) from 3 to 7 pm at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen, MA. A funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions in Fred's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice.
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