Avis de décès de John T. Allan

John Taylor Allan, age 64, died January 9, 2015.He was born in Mallaig, Scotland, on March 20, 1950, the son of Matthew and Una (Taylor) Allan.After attending schools in Scotland, John served briefly in the British Army. He then traveled to Israel where he worked in the vineyards in a kibbutz. He returned to Scotland where he worked for the Scottish Post Office and at a resort in Fort William. He came to the United States in 1980 where he worked as an architect's assistant in New York City and Clerk of the Works on several major projects. He moved to Vermont in 1988 and worked at Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream plant where he met Nina Cromack. They were married on May 20, 1991.John worked for a medical supply firm in Burlington, VT where he traveled throughout New England. He and his wife moved to Laconia, NH in 1995 to be house parents for troubled children.After moving to Shelburne in 1997, John worked at BJ Wholesale in Greenfield, Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, and Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.John and Nina purchased land in Colrain in 2006 to build a farm for their horses. He had been disabled since 2012.He greatly enjoyed his spring opportunities to serve as maitre d' at Davenport Sugar House in Shelburne and an emcee at the annual music program for the Shelburne Congregational Church. He was pleased to have been asked to be a reader for the Celtic Heels annual Nutcracker performance in Northampton. Among his hobbies was collecting metal soldiers of which he has an extensive collection dating from childhood. He also was an avid photographer, particularly enjoying photographs of people, especially family and friends.In addition to his wife, Nina, he is survived by his mother Una of Inverness, Scotland; a sister Hazel of London, England; his wife's parents Theodore and Mary Cromack of Shelburne; sister-in-law Hazel Eringis of Warrenton, VA; brothers-in-law Douglas (Margot) Cromack of San Antonio, TX, Charles (Norma) Cromack of Warrenton, VA and by many loving nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his father Matthew, and brothers-in-law Fred Cromack and Charles Eringis.He thoroughly enjoyed a symbiotic connection with a dear friend, Andrea and her family.Gathering of family and friends and a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, at Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church, Little Mohawk Road, Shelburne Center. In lieu of flowers donations would be appreciated to Colrain Volunteer Ambulance Assoc., Harriet Dyer, P.O. Box 37, Colrain, MA 01340. Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home in Shelburne Falls/Greenfield is in charge of arrangements.