Obituary: Harold E. Allen II

Harold E. Allen II, at 70
Harold E. Allen II, of Cohasset, who grew up in Hull and lived here almost all his life, died at South Shore Hospital Oct. 13. He was 70 and had waged a long and valiant battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Mr. Allen joined the Air Force after graduating with Hull High School’s class of 1965. A member of the Security Police during the Vietnam War, Mr. Allen attained the rank of staff sergeant during his five years of military service.
He went on to work for the telephone company as a splicing technician, later earning his journeyman status. He retired from his career as a journeyman cable splicer for Verizon due to deteriorating health.
Mr. Allen had been a founding member of the Colin Gillis Softball League several years ago, but more than playing sports, he enjoyed taking his sons to their own sporting activities, particularly hockey. He was active in veterans’ support organizations and was a member of the James W. Richardson VFW Post 1787 in Hull, the Disabled American Veterans, the Hull Veterans Council, and IBEW Local 2222, the telecommunications workers union. 
In the early 1970s, Mr. Allen met Nancy Fales, of Everett, at a wedding; that night, she told her mother she was going to marry him. In 1972, she did. Nancy and Harold were married for 45 years.
In addition to his beloved wife, Nancy Allen of Cohasset, Mr. Allen leaves his children, Robert Allen and his wife, Natalie, of Hingham, and Matthew Allen of Voluntown, Conn.; and his grandchildren – who meant everything to their Grampy – Quinn and Caroline Allen, of Hingham. 
Mr. Allen also is survived by many cherished family members: his siblings, Elizabeth “Sandy” Parkes of Hull, and Paul Allen and his wife, Linda, of Swansea; a sister-in-law, Linda Bump, and her husband, Bill; three nieces, Liz, Amy, and Wendy; a nephew, Daniel; and many extended family members. He was the son of the late Bernard and Kathryn (Lawless) Allen and the brother-in-law of the late Leo Parkes.
Mr. Allen and his dog, Murphy, were inseparable. Murphy will be among the many, including the nurses who cared for Mr. Allen during his final hospitalization, who will grieve for this wonderful person and miss his fighting spirit and his corny jokes.
Mr. Allen’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today (Oct. 19) at St. Ann’s Church. He will be interred at Hull Village Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Hull Veterans Council, 253 Atlantic Ave., Hull, MA 02045. For online condolences, visit www.Keohane.com.