February 19, 1934 ~ June 25, 2024
Stan Robert Allen, aged 90, passed away peacefully on June 25th, 2024, in Alliston, Ontario. Born on February 19, 1934, at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Stan's journey was marked by a blend of hard work, pride and commitment to everything he touched, and his lifelong love of bridge.
Stan's career at Bell Canada spanned 35 years, where he began as an installer and rose through the ranks to become a manager in Engineering. Notably, he designed the first 911 emergency system for Bell Canada. As a new father, he accepted a remote posting on Bear Island in James Bay operating a radar site for the ‘Mid Canada Line’ (south of the Distant Early Warning line), so he could purchase a home and secure a better future for his young family. As a side gig, he ran “Stan Allen TV Repairs” in his basement, back in the day when “bulbs” were continuously burning out.
Stan was passionate about bridge from the first time he played it during lunch at Bell Canada. In the ensuing years, he managed the Bell Canada Duplicate Bridge Club and became an American Contract Bridge League Ruby Life Master. He loved his weekly game at the Tillsonburg bridge club, playing with his wife and life partner, Carrolyn, and mentoring new players.
His children will remember his loud and ready laugh, his story telling, family vacations, swimming and diving lessons, playing his favourite card and dice games, and his love of vegetable gardening. His retirement years were joyfully spent traveling throughout the US and Canada with his wife and cherished half-Siberian husky pups, Susie and Daisy Dog, staying current with the latest technology, tending to his garden, raising chickens, turkeys and ducks on his 10-acre property in Simcoe, and, of course, playing bridge.
Stan was a devoted husband to Carrolyn Allen for 46 years and a proud father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Carrolyn; daughters Susan Allen (John Cerisano) and Cheri Allen (Paul Taylor); stepchildren Heather Rising (Dave), and James Barr (Dawn Patterson); grandchildren Danielle Cerisano (Evan Little), Andrew Cerisano (Nicolette), Stephanie Wall (Joshua), and David Pile; step-grandchildren Justus Rising, Nigel Rising, Fintan Rising, Hunter Barr and Autumn Barr; and great-grandchildren Liam, Daniella, Owen, Reese, Evelyn, and Charlotte. Stan was preceded in death by his son Douglas Robert Allen, and his parents, Mable Elizabeth and Henry Robert Allen.
A private service will be held at Sixth Line Cemetery, 6800 Yonge Street, Churchill, ON, on Thursday, July 4. In lieu of flowers, contributions will be gratefully accepted for Matthews House in Alliston. (Donation link on our website)
The family extends their gratitude to the incredibly compassionate doctors, nurses, PSW’s and volunteers at Matthews House in Alliston and to Paul F. Kent Funeral Home in Cookstown for their compassionate assistance during this time. Stan’s legacy of being a life-long learner, always striving to do his best, and his wonderful sense of humour, will be cherished and remembered by all who knew him.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stan Robert Allen, please visit our website www.paulfkentfuneralhome.ca