David Thurston Allen

Mt. Desert

David Thurston Allen passed away peacefully on October 3, at MDI Hospital, after a lengthy illness. His parents were Arnold P. Allen, a physician from Blue Hill and Elizabeth Irene York Allen. He was born on Jan. 30th 1939. His wife of fifty years, Betty Allen, is still alive. He has two sons: Timothy Allen, Mount Desert, and Michael Allen, Hancock. There are also three stepchildren: Laraine Wade, Dennis Jackson, Susan Walls Jackson, Lee Jackson, Oakfield; Allan Sparky Walls (and partner Marny), Town Hill. His father Arnold Allen died when he turned three. He also lost his mother Elizabeth at the age of 3, his baby sister and brother, and his stepmother Marie Allen. David Allen was most famous for his role as captain of Maine Seacoast Mission vessel Sunbeam. Betty was his wife and steward. In one week, while still in highschool, he received his pilot’s licence. In the beginning, he flew to find fish to fill his father’s seinesing gear. Later on, he used it to locate fish to fill his own seinering equipment and take aerial photographs for real estate agents. While still in elementary school, he bought his first boat – a 24 foot lobster boat. He loved many things: the sea, the sky, the dance, the basketball, the cutting of wood for the wood boiler, the kitchen stove and the people. His health began to fail about three to four years ago. This made his life more difficult. Debbie Kiley, Julie, and all the other home health care workers helped to make this man’s last year more comfortable. We would have suffered more if not for the MDI nurses and doctors as well as ambulance personnel. The staff, Kendra and Dr. Baxter. They have looked after him over the years. Thank you to all those who helped! David has asked that no funeral be held at this time. Early spring, the Sunbeam will take his ashes out to sea for their final resting spot. Date to be confirmed later. Please, no flowers. You can donate in David’s honor to Maine Seacoast Mission Northeast Harbor.