Joel W. Allen

Joel W. Allen, 66, of Greenport, died July 5, 2013 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Mass. Born Jan. 6, 1947 in Utica, he was the son of the late Willard and Gertrude Allen. He grew up on the family farm, Allen Acres, and graduated from Waterville High School in 1965. He graduated from SUNY Farmingdale in 1967 and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University in 1969. With a degree in horticulture, he started his 38-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension in East Aurora, Erie County, before joining the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton County. On Dec. 5, 1970, he married Laura Evelyn Marshall in Rye. In summer 1980, he moved to Columbia County to serve as executive director and agriculture program leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County. In summer 1981, his wife and daughter, Karrie Suzanne, joined him. Joel was instrumental in starting CCE?s baked potato booth at the Columbia County Fair in 1985 and was the volunteer coordinator for the Master Gardener program, which he helped grow and develop. He retired from CCE in 2007. A longtime Rotarian, he joined the Gloversville Rotary Club in 1970 and the Hudson Rotary Club in March 1981, where he served as president and for many years as secretary and newsletter editor. He became an honorary member in June 2012. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. He served on many committees and boards, including United Way of Columbia County, Columbia County Board of Supervisor?s Agricultural Advisory Committee, Columbia County Tourism Committee, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce?s Agricultural Committee and was a founding member and secretary of the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board. He also judged vegetables at the Dutchess County Fair for many years. In 1992, Joel helped spearhead the Leadership Columbia County program and remained a facilitator for 15 years, for which he was honored in September 2007. In May 2008, he joined the volunteer staff as an interpretive guide at the Martin Van Buren Historic Site in Kinderhook. He was an active member of Mt. Pleasant Reformed Church in Greenport, singing in the choir and serving on the cemetery committee. He had previously been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gloversville and the First Presbyterian and First Reformed churches in Hudson, singing in each choir. He also played the handbells. Joel enjoyed gardening, relaxing by the pool, game day with church friends, seeing shows at Mac-Haydn Theatre and traveling. His travels often took him (and sometimes his family) to several states through the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, to Caroga Lake to visit friends and to such places as Disney World, St. Martin and Alaska. His favorite vacation spot was at the family camp, Little Allen Acres, on Cape Cod. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Survivors, in addition to his wife and daughter, include two brothers, Gary (Ellie) Allen and Dale Allen; a niece, Karen Allen North (Frank) and grandnieces, Sarah and Laura North; a nephew, Tim Allen (Meghan); mother-in-law, Patricia Marshall; sister-in-law, Suzanne Vickerson (Anthony) and niece and nephew, Caroline and Marshall Vickerson; cousin Jim Allen (Ellen); several additional cousins; and many friends. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Ruth Allen; father-in-law, Frank C. Marshall; and cousin, Diane Allen Wood. Calling hours were held July 12 at the Bates & Anderson & Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. A funeral service was held July 13 at Mt. Pleasant Reformed Church, 33 Church Road, Hudson. Burial followed in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant Reformed Church, c/o Nancy Weaver, church treasurer, P.O. Box 167, Claverack, NY 12513.

Joel W. Allen

January 6, 1947 - July 5, 2013

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Joel W. Allen

January 6, 1947 - July 5, 2013

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