ARUNDEL- John Allen, age 72, passed away on March 9, 2023 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House after a long battle with kidney and heart issues. John never let these issues dim his love of life and the many “projects” he loved!
John was born in Biddeford, Maine at Webber Hospital on June 27, 1950, a son of the late John & Georgia (Smith) Allen of Kennebunk, Maine.
John was a local small business owner & carpenter. His work includes new houses, remodels, additions and furniture. Among his proudest work of his career was the rebuilding and restoration of the Wedding Cake House during the late 1980s and 1990s. He is listed in the National Archives for restoring the fence that exists on the front lawn of the property today and included in newspaper articles about the project.
John devoted over 25 years of his life as a Volunteer Fireman for the Town of Arundel. He worked himself up in ranks to Deputy Chief. He left and became a volunteer coach for ML Day School basketball & baseball teams and the Recreation Little League program. John’s most cherished memories are coaching his kids’ athletic teams.
When John wasn’t at the fire station or at a sports practice, he was working on, building, and preparing a race car or go kart with David & Josh Bath. Oftentimes, John was at all three on the same evening!
In more recent years John’s devotion became spending time with his kids and wife working on their projects, on his tractor and puttering on his property in Kennebunk.
John is survived by his wife, Mari Jo; his children Beth M. and her husband Sean of Brunswick, Judy W. and her husband Ben of Connecticut, Steven of Kennebunk, and Nick and his wife Danielle of Vermont. Brother - Henry and his wife Anne of Kennebunk; 6 grandchildren, Kevin, Jordan, Finn, Elliott, Jacob & Vivienne; 4 nieces & nephews – Raelyn L., Henry, Raymond G., & Craig. He is predeceased by his parents John & Georgia Allen, Sister – Priscilla Guilbault and her husband Ray (Bones) Guilbault.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 18th beginning at 2 pm at the American Legion Hall, 102 Main Street, Kennebunkport, Maine. John’s wish was for a party atmosphere where people could come and laugh and tell stories of him, his life and how you knew him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Kidney Foundation, www.kidneyfund.org or the Jimmy Fund Children’s Cancer Research, www.danafarber.jimmyfund.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com