Chester R. Alen

BERLIN - Chester R. Allen, 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 7, 2016, with members of his family at his bedside. Chester was born in Bradford, Vermont on April 23, 1922, the son of Guy and Velma (Worthen) Allen. He attended elementary school in Waitsfield, Vermont and graduated from Bradford Academy. For a short time after high school he was employed by the Truax Veneer Company in Barre, Vermont, but he enlisted in the Navy Seabees, shortly after the United States entered World War II, seeing action in both the South Pacific and in Europe.After being honorably discharged from the Navy in January, 1946, he attended YMCA Trade and Technical School in New York City earning certificates in domestic and commercial refrigeration. He later earned certification as a Master Electrician and was licensed in multiple states.Chester married his high school sweetheart, Miriam Johnson, and, for a brief period, they lived and worked in St. Albans, Vermont. He and Miriam then returned to Bradford where he started Allen Refrigeration Company and they began raising their family. He operated Allen Refrigeration Company for nearly 40 years, serving customers throughout Vermont and Hampshire.After Miriam's pre-mature passing in 1983, Chester sold Allen Refrigeration Company and started DSJ, Inc., a transportation company. He met and married Natalie Metcalf and they split their time between Bradford and Myrtle Beach, North Carolina and later Leesburg, Florida. They ultimately retired to his childhood home in West Topsham, Vermont. Natalie passed away in October 2014.Chester was an active member of the Bradford Lion's Club and the Masons. He co-founded, and was a long-time director of, the Bradford Industrial Park. He was keenly interested in promoting business growth in Bradford and thoroughly enjoyed helping new businesses establish a presence in Bradford.Survivors include his children and their spouses: Douglas Allen and his wife, Janet, of East Montpelier, Vermont, Stephanie Rowe and her husband, Alan, of Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, and Jeanne Gallerani and her husband, Peter, of Danville, Vermont. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Sara Allen of Boston, Massachusetts, Zachary Allen of Portland, Maine, Justin Rowe of New York City, Julia Rowe of Los Angeles, California, Hannah Rowe of Washington, D.C., and Nicholas Gallerani of Washington, DC, and one great grandchild, Aiden Rowe of Southborough, MA. Chester is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends.Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Madalene.A private burial ceremony for the immediate family will be held at the Bradford, Vermont Upper Plain Cemetery. A memorial service for all family and friends will be held at a later date to be announced. Arrangements are in the care of Hale Funeral Home in Bradford.To view an online guestbook go to www.halefuneralhomes.com

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