ELLINGTON, CONN./WEST GOULDSBORO – Allen Philip Tracy, 85, passed away unexpectedly from injuries suffered in a fall at his home in Ellington, Conn. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary (Bunker) Tracy, and his children, Christopher Tracy of Ellington, Cheryl Tracy-Miller (Jim) of Bloomfield, Conn., and Cathy Tracy (Dianne Waters) of Hancock and Venice, Fla. Allen is also survived by his sister Mary Lou Hodge (Chuck) of West Gouldsboro, nephew Greg (Kristen) Hodge of Bangor and niece Becky (Michael) Partridge of Ellsworth.
Allen was born in the family home in West Gouldsboro to Philip and Eleanor (Noyes) Tracy. Growing up, Allen enjoyed many outdoor activities at the family camp on Jones Pond. He graduated from Higgins Classical Institute, Charlestown, in 1950, where he lettered in three varsity sports, captaining the football and baseball teams and serving as class president. During his freshman year of high school, Allen toured the USS Missouri when it was anchored at Bar Harbor and it was here that he met Mary.
On his 18th birthday, Allen joined the Navy, serving as chief petty officer in the Seabees, stationed in Newfoundland, Cuba and French Morocco during the Korean War. Upon his return to Maine, he and Mary attended the University of Maine in Orono on the GI bill while starting their family. Graduating with a civil engineering degree, Allen and the family moved to Connecticut and he began his 45-year career as a structural engineer, starting at SNET and retiring as vice president and head of the engineering department at the architectural firm of Russell, Gibson and Von Dohlen. Allen was the engineer-in-charge of the construction of Gampel Pavilion at the UConn Storrs campus. This led to Allen and Mary’s enjoyment of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams and they established an endowed scholarship for the women’s team.
Allen will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor, kindness, appreciation of common sense, and ability to tackle anything. He loved Maine, especially the cottage on Donnell’s Pond. He was highly respected by everyone he worked with because “he knew the business end of a hammer” which he learned from his carpenter father. A ham radio operator, Allen (call letters KBM1AMM) conversed with people from all over the world. Nothing made Allen smile more than a thank you from a stranger when he wore his “Can Do” Seabees cap. He will be missed by all who knew him.
At Allen’s request there are no calling hours. Private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ellington Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 71, Ellington, CT 06029. Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home in Vernon, Conn., is caring for the arrangements. For online condolences and guest book, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
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