Donald (Don) Macomber Allen

Donald (Don) Allen passed away peacefully December 17, 2022, of natural causes in Tallahassee, Florida. He was 96. Born in Fall River, Mass, on March 13, 1926, to Alton and Elizabeth Bushnell Allen, he was raised on Horseneck Beach during the Great Depression. He attended Fairhaven High School and University of Massachusetts Amherst, then served in the US Navy during World War II. In 1951 Don married his best friend, Virginia (Peggy) Stetson of Cuttyhunk Island, Mass and they had their first child Carlyle Elizabeth shortly after. With an interest in marine science he worked for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth Mass., the National Marine Fisheries in Galveston Texas, where sons Jeffrey and Timothy were born, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association in Miami, Florida. Don’s research included studies of shrimp biology throughout Florida Bay and the Florida Keys. He was an expert in the study of shrimp, scallops, fish, and various other marine life, later becoming the Florida Director of the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists. Don enjoyed everything about living in Florida during the early 60’s and 70’s. Family outings and salt water related activities including fishing, sailing, snorkeling, swimming, birding, and exploring mangroves in search of antique bottles. After retirement in the mid-1980s he and Peggy built their dream home overlooking “the Marshes” of St Helena Island, SC. There they made many friends, and continued exploring, enjoying their grandchildren, their love of the outdoors and being close to any body of salt water. With Don, it was all about harvesting and eating fish, crabs, oysters, clams, and anything else edible from the sea. Their New England Family clam and oyster bakes were a great pleasure for their family and friends. Don and his family spent many summers at the Westport River, MA, and he had many relatives in Cape Cod, Fall River, and Fairhaven. Don is survived by Jeffrey Stetson Allen (Susan), daughter Carlyle Allen Beamish (Jack), grandchildren Lindsay Allen, Nicole Allen Avella (Mark), Katherine Allen, John Allen Beamish (Brittany), and great grandchildren Carlyle Avella, Elizabeth Avella, Cameron Beamish, and Emily Beamish. Don was predeceased by wife Peggy who passed in 2012, son Timothy Alton Allen who passed in 2010, and brother Stanley Allen. There will be a private ceremony with ashes to be spread in the Morgan River on St Helena Island. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Donald (Don) Macomber Allen

March 13, 1926 - December 17, 2022