Hudson Falls- Former Kingsbury Town Justice Joseph J. (Joe) Allen, 85, of Hudson Falls, passed away on Monday, July 23, 2018, in the presence of his beloved family at Glens Falls Hospital.
Born on May 23, 1933, in Northumberland, he was the son of the late Joseph B. Allen and Lucienne Brown Allen.
He graduated from Schuylerville High School in 1951. He attended Fredonia State University, School of Music.
Joe enlisted in The United States Army. He proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was at Fort Devens, Massachusetts and served the rest of his tour of duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. As a Member of the US Army Band, Joe performed at the White House. He was involved in a pontoon training accident on September 2, 1953 with many fatalities at Fort Bragg. His life was saved by Gene Derby, a Schuylervile neighbor who enlisted with him.
On June 27, 1954, Joe married Irene Theresa Nolin at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hudson Falls. They were married for 64 wonderful years.
Joe was a communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s church and was active in the Usher’s Association. He was also a member of the State and County Magistrates Associations and was a life member of the Hudson Falls Fish and Game Club. He was a man who dedicated his life to the service of others. When he found some free time, Joe enjoyed woodworking.
Joe was employed for many years by Imperial Paper, which became Hercules, then Ciba-Giegy. When the mill closed he retired and became a Security Guard at the Hyde museum.
He was an active member of the Washington County Republican Committee for many years.
In 1969, Joe found his true calling. He became Town Justice for the Town of Kingsbury. He was reelected to the position for 29 years. During his tenure, Joe wanted to encourage young people to turn their lives around and get out of the justice system. Inspired by a book written by a judge in the mid-west, he began a home-grown alternative sentencing program. Offenders often washed police cars on Main St. in front of the Police Station or worked in the cemeteries or other civic projects rather than get off with a fine paid by their parents. In his later years it was not uncommon for him to meet a former offender who was living a successful life and be very proud of them. Later as Washington County developed an official Alternative Sentencing Program, he served as an advisor. He achieved the biggest goal of his career, when on May 1, 2001 he was honored with the Liberty Bell Award from the Washington County Bar Association. He was known as a judge who was stern but fair. As Kingsbury Town Justice, he was proud to swear in the officers of the Kingsbury Volunteer Hose Company every year. One of Joe’s favorite parts of being Town Justice was to perform marriages. He had performed more than 300 and continued to do so until a few months ago. Joe was also Acting Village Justice in Hudson Falls for 20 years.
Besides his parent’s Joe was pre-deceased by his sister, Marjorie Pechette, sisters-in-law June M. Ganotes, Elizabeth Germaine Jones and Elaine V. Nolin, brothers-in-law Nick Ganotes and Fred Pechette and son-in-law Kenneth Anderson. Joe was also pre-deceased by his firstborn grandson, Bruce James Allen, Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Theresa Nolin Allen and his children Karen Anderson of Hudson Falls, Bruce Allen (Cathy), of Queensbury and Lisa Ringer (Alan)of Hudson Falls.
Also surviving are grandchildren Teeya Allen (Corey Bryant), Tiffiny Sheerer (Brian), Justin Anderson (Courtney), Tonya Allen (Mike Ellis), Ryan Anderson (Alexandra McCormick), Taylor Ringer and Devon Ringer, and great grandchildren, Christeena Allen, Dylan Sheerer, Cassondra Laake, Brayden Potter, Alexandria Potter, Conor Horrigan, Collin Anderson and Ayla Adams.
Brothers-in-law R. Gary Nolin and Richard Jones as well as his Goddaugher Michele Jones Ruge (Robert) also survive.
Joe was blessed with many nieces and nephews who survive him as well.
The family would like to thank providers Michael Adams, Amy Hogan-Moulton, Robert Hogan and Beth Hutchins for their compassionate care over the years. We would also like to thank the staff on Tower 6 at Glens Falls Hospital for the outstanding care given to our father over the past few years, as well as a special thanks to Emily Goodman, RN and Tice McGee, PCA who gave Dad excellent care many times and for the compassion they showed all of us as his time neared. We would also like to express thanks for the care and compassion shown to the family in the last few days on the unit.
Friends may call on Friday, July 27 from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, July 28 at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s church on the park in Hudson Falls.
The Rite of Committal, with military honors, will follow at St Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Church of St. Mary’s/ St. Paul’s Building Restoration Fund, 11 Wall Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.
All are welcome to attend a reception at McManus Hall next to the church at 1 pm.