Legendary community worker dies
Many mourn passing of John Allen, 82
ALEGEND, a leader and a man who worked tirelessly for the community of Port Elizabeth. These were some of the words used to describe much-loved community worker John Allen, who died yesterday from diabetes-related complications. He was 82. Known for his work with the Algoa Bay Council for the Aged, the Community Chest and the Rotary Club of Algoa Bay, Allen was also the chairman of the National Welfare, Social Service and Development Forum.
Allen’s wife, Adele, said yesterday that he had woken early on Monday complaining that he was getting cold. “He was very warm to the touch so I called for assistance,” she said.
Health assistants at the retirement village in Summerstrand where Allen lived with his wife checked his temperature, which was 42°C, prompting them to call an ambulance. Allen was taken to hospital, where he later died.
An active and energetic person to the end, Allen, who was born in Port Elizabeth in 1933, loved walking on the beach with his dog, Flash.
Allen would later be named honorary volunteer manager of the Summerstrand Lifesaving Club and his pet Jack Russell, with whom he regularly walked on the beach, was the mascot.
Adele said that in the 42 years she had known him Allen “never sat and did nothing except for when he watched his soapies in the evenings”.
According to his daughter, Karen, Allen was a jack of all trades.
In the 1960s, Allen was an actor and dancer, regularly performing at Port Elizabeth’s Little Theatre in Central.
During the 1970s, Allen met Adele, with whom he lived for eight years before they got married.
“Sitting at the dining room table one night he [John] told me to fetch our diaries, which I did. He then asked me to check and see when we could get married,” Adele said.
When Allen turned 50, he was diagnosed with emphysema and given four months to live.
Adele said Allen then decided to stop smoking and became more act- ive. He took part in the Herald Cycle Tour twice, the last time when he was 74, and also completed the Cape Argus Cycle Tour.
Allen was awarded the Golden Oldies Fundraising (GOF) club Senior Citizen of the Year accolade in 2013 for his commitment to working with the community.
Allen’s daughter, Greta, said she could not even begin to describe her father, adding that a little-known fact about him was that he loved playing bongo drums. “He also loved jazz, which was his second love after the ocean,” she said.
Second youngest daughter, Karen, said she would always remember her father’s unconditional love.
“The biggest gift he ever gave me was teaching me that if you can’t change something, don’t waste your energy on something you cannot change.”
Youngest child Jon said he would remember his father as a “wonderful and caring person”.
MTR Smit Children’s Home director Dr Crystal Watson, who served with Allen on the Community Chest board for 10 years and knew him for 31 years, said she would miss him dearly.
“He was a legend and a great leader. He was an organiser of note and a true gentleman,” she said.
Echoing Watson’s words, Community Chest chairman Wesa Moss said Allen was a dedicated member of the board and the valuable time he gave would be missed.
“He was one of those guys you could depend on. He will be sorely missed and may his soul rest in peace,” Moss said.
Lindsay Ziehl from Yokhuselo Haven, which offers shelter and assistance to victims of domestic and family abuse, said she knew Allen mainly through their mutual association with the Rotary Club of Algoa Bay, of which he was a member since 1991.
“He [Allen] worked tirelessly for the people of Port Elizabeth. Even when he was not well, he would put others first. His passing is a huge loss. He was a great Port Elizabethan,” Ziehl said.
Allen is survived by his wife Adele, daughters Jenny-Lee, Karen and Greta, sons Gavin, Ian and Jon, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
His funeral service will be held at 2pm on Saturday at St Saviour’s Anglican Church in Villiers Road, Walmer.