Joseph P. Allen

ALBANY – Joseph P. Allen, 90, of Albany, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, August 22, 2016.  The son of Joseph Francis Allen and Helen Roche Allen, he was born July 22, 1926 in Albany, and lived here all his life.  Joe graduated from St. Ann’s School in the South End of Albany. “You can take the boy out of the South End but you can’t take the South End out of the Boy”. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, Class of 1944 at the rank of Lieutenant and was a member of the CBA Cavalry. He attended the Albany College of Pharmacy, and graduated from Albany Business College.  Joe served in the United States Navy during WWII as a Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class, stationed at various naval installations along the east coast. While he never revealed the specifics, part of this service was to treat the wounded returning from Okinawa, an experience that left a lasting memory.

Joe and Carolina were married on September 17, 1949 beginning the next chapter in their adventure together.  They spent their honeymoon motoring from Albany to Boston with a stop in Springfield Massachusetts for a romantic dinner. After a three day stay in Boston they proceeded to Augusta, Maine and then on to Niagara Falls – A whirlwind tour of over 2,000 miles.

Returning to Albany they took up residence in a flat by the Allen Rug Company where Joe worked with his father “Big Joe” and the William Allens. A family soon started to arrive in rapid succession with the birth of Carolyn, followed by Elizabeth, Joseph, Michael, Francis and Patrick.  They took the boy out of the South End moving the family to larger (needed) living quarters but always maintained allegiance to the South End. Joe’s work career found him selling real estate and ultimately to the Albany Housing Authority where he enjoyed a 25-year career as the manager of a number of the housing facilities throughout the city. In 1990 he began the enjoyment of retirement, travel, and as “Papa Joe” to his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, his brother Robert Francis, and his daughter Carolyn Allen Meltzer.  He is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Carolina Connors Allen; son-in-law Evan Meltzer; grandson Philip Meltzer, his wife Cari, and great-grandchildren Connor Brown and Molly Lynn Meltzer; granddaughter Caroline Meltzer Brody, her husband Andrew, and great-granddaughter Evelyn Brody; daughter Elizabeth Allen Wyld and her husband John S. Wyld; granddaughter Elizabeth Wyld, her fiancee Lynda Smith, and great-granddaughter Victoria Smith-Wyld; grandson John S. Wyld III and his wife Victoria; son Joseph F. Allen, his wife Marilou Welch, and grandchildren Joseph P. II, Kathleen, Mary, and Casey Allen; son Michael P. Allen, his wife Diane Fletcher, and grandchildren Michael and Kerry Allen; granddaughter Kristina Allen Koonz and her husband Matthew; son Francis X. Allen, his wife Elaine Mendel, and grandchildren Francis X. Jr., Andrea, Katherine, and Meaghan Allen; son Patrick W. Allen and his wife Diane Farrell.

The family also includes Joe’s brother Richard C. Allen and his wife Dianne; nephews Richard and Kevin Allen and nieces Cathleen Valette and Diane Dewey; sister-in-law Joan Connors Nash; brother-in-law Francis S. Connors and his wife Carol; survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Sean Roche whose care and concern has consistently been over and above his professional responsibilities, Sr. Jean Roche for her compassion and support during this time, the staff of the St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the St. Peter’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit and Hospice Inn.

Anyone wishing to remember Papa Joe in a special way can send a donation to the Christian Brothers Academy Big Brother for Education Scholarship Fund, 12 Airline Dr., Albany, NY 12205; or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation – MMRF, PO Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241-4238 or themmrf.org/donatenow .

The friends and family are invited to share in the joys of Joe’s life on Sunday, from 3-7 p.m. in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany.  Funeral Services will be at the Parish of Mater Christi, Hurst Ave. & Hopewell St., Albany Monday morning at 10:00am.  Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.

To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.