Vern M. Allen, Jr.,81, passed away Sunday, February 26. 2023, at Cedar Hill Continuing Care in Windsor, Vt. He died in peace after a day of visits from all four siblings, his nephew William and his great-niece Harriet.

He was born July 22, 1941, to Vern and Frances (Sargent) Allen, the oldest son in a family of five children. "Brother," as he was known to his family, was born a premature baby at home on Acme Street in the section of town called "Warsaw." Soon after the family bought a small house on the river side of the narrow street now known as Jarvis. He lived next door to and close by enough related kids, according to his cousin David, ''to almost form a baseball team." Cousin David recalls that, "with parents working long shifts on defense jobs, we kids owned Jarvis and National streets, plus the northern side of River Street, up to the railroad tracks; it was wonderland for us. Brother was a part of us, just a little quieter than some of the others." David continues, "We played together, we sometimes fought among ourselves, but when we were threatened, we stood up for each other. Brother was one of us and he will be missed." When Vern was ten, the family moved to an old farmhouse with two dilapidated barns on Weeden Hill. And there he stayed for nearly 70 years until poor health pushed him out. Country life for Vern and siblings was a whole new world: Fishing in the brooks, wild berry picking, gardening, farm animals, especially the chickens! And just exploring nearly 100 acres of farm and woodland.

Vern graduated in the top ten of students at Windsor High School, Class of 1959. After a year at UVM. Vern began a 42 year career as a skilled and talented gear cutter at Cone Automatic, ending when Cone closed in 2002. There he was active in the union and formed many friendships.

At age 40, Vern learned to drive. After his father's death, he and his mother spent several happy years hitting the roads and antique shops. After her sudden death in 1992, Vern's love of collecting blossomed, and he turned to his passion for yard sales. He was a fixture at yard sales every weekend in the Upper Valley. It gave him pleasure to share his finds and treasures with his family.

Vern didn't stray far from home, but in 1975, he made his first and only European trip. He traveled with his two sisters and then 14-year-old nephew Mark to London. Vern was legend for his love of eating including the two hours he took to clean every speck of food from his plate! He marched to his own drumbeat, for sure, a sui generis soul, a quirky, kind, generous, and forgiving one at that. He carried an innate innocence and trust that never left him. His animal friends sensed that; dogs adored him. He rescued over the years two bedraggled Persian cats from the streets of Windsor, his beloved Emma and Martin.

He was predeceased by his parents, brothers-in-law Bob Biron and Stanley Wright, aunts and uncles, cousin Bob King. He is survived by his sisters Nancy Biron and Janice Wright, brothers Doug Allen and wife Betsy Allen and wife Mary Ellen. Also, his nieces and nephews, William Wright, the Allen kids: Cory, Jared and Amanda, the Biron children: Mark, Amy and Catherine and families, his cousins David Hewett, Dewey Jones, the Harlow cousins, and several other Sargent and Allen family relatives.

Vern's family thanks the staff at Cedar Hill for their kindness and compassionate care. Gratitude also to his home caregivers Emily Tullercash and Trudy Dudley for their loving care.

If you wish to honor Vern's memory, you may make a donation to HHR for Meals on Wheels, 40 Maxwell Perkins Lane, or American Precision Museum, P.O. Box 679, both in Windsor 05089. Or consider a gift of time to visit a housebound friend, share a meal. Don't procrastinate - go visit.

Vern's ashes will be buried next to his mother. Friends and family are cordially invited to a graveside service at the Hartland Village Cemetery, Saturday, June 3, at 10:00 a.m. and the gathering to follow at the home of his sister in Windsor.