Bathurst - Harper Gordon Allen, 92, formerly of Youghall, passed away on Sunday,(December 26, 2010) at the Robert L. Knowles Veterans Unit, Bathurst.
Born in Bathurst, he was the son of the late Harper and Annie Rebecca Gordon (Ellis) Allen.
In WWII, Gordon signed up with the RCAF. He trained at Uplands near Ottawa and then deployed overseas to Digby, England. He served with the to RCAF 411 Spitfire Squadron as part of "B" Flight ground crew.
In 1944 he transferred to RCAF, 6 Group, Bomber Command, becoming a Flight Engineer with 432 "Leaside" Squadron. Gordon flew 32 "Ops" (bombing missions)over occupied Europe in a four-engine, Halifax Mark VII, heavy bomber. He was a member of the Herman J. Good, VC Br. 18 Royal Canadian Legion, Bathurst.
Returning from overseas, Gordon worked for two decades as an electrician at the Bathurst Paper Mill. The son of a boat builder he had always felt the call of the sea. In the 1960s he left the security of his job at the mill to become a full-time commercial fisherman on the Bay of Chaleur. Gordon's friends will recall a lifetime full of adventure. He loved to hunt geese, fly fish, sail, and run the Tetagouche River.
For a number of years Gordon was a volunteer Rescue Agent with the Canadian Coast Guard. He was a boat builder and skilled carpenter. He enjoyed his cherry orchard, his grape vines, his flowers and painting the breathtaking scenery of the Nepisiguit River. Gordon continued to paint at the Robert L. Knowles Veterans Unit where he enjoyed his life with caring staff and fellow veterans.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He is survived by; wife Violet Elizabeth (Pettigrew) Allen; daughter, Patricia Allen (George) of Durham Bridge, NB, and their son Preston and; one son, Bruce Allen (Moira) of Halifax, and their son Matthew; sister-in-law Beatrice Allen; and nieces Sharon (Patrick)Guignard, Pam(Robert) Lewis and nephews David (Gwen) Speirs and Leslie Allen. Gordon had special friends in Clara and Lucie.
Gordon was pre-deceased by sisters, Margaret, Mary; and brother, William.
The body will rest after 2 p.m. Tuesday at Elhatton's Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday (December 28, 2010) at 4 p.m. from the Funeral Home with Rev. Rod Black officiating. A Veterans tribute by the Herman J. Good, VC Br. 18 Royal Canadian Legion will be held in conjunction with the funeral service.
Visiting hours are Tuesday from 2 p.m. until time of Funeral at 4 p.m. For anyone wishing to send tokens of sympathy, the family would appreciate donations to the
St. George's Anglican Church cemetery fund.
