James Allen

James G. Allen Jr., 78, of Morrill, Maine, and formerly of Leicester, died peacefully with family by his side in his home on Feb. 21.

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Constance “Connie” M. (Morin) Allen, his children, Christine Allen and her spouse, Raye Dene, of Smithfield, Maine; Catherine Wailgum and her husband, Andrew, of Hopkinton; Celeste Conti and her husband, Jonathan, of Foxborough; and James Allen of San Francisco. His daughter Candace M. (Allen) Scola died in 2002. He also leaves four grandchildren, Emma Wailgum, Henry Wailgum, Mia Conti and Ella Conti. He was born in Whitinsville, a son of the late Mary (Talbot) and James G. Allen Sr. He graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1960. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1960 and served until November 1963. He lived in Leicester for many years before moving to Maine 19 years ago.

Mr. Allen was a corrections officer with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services in Worcester for several years until he retired. Previously, he worked for General Motors in Framingham.

Jim loved hunting and fishing and the great outdoors and will be missed by his four dogs, whom gave him immense joy.

The funeral will be held on Feb. 25, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Church at Holy Family Parish, 35 Hamilton St., Worcester. Burial will be in South Sutton Cemetery, Sutton. Calling hours in Dirsa-Morin Funeral Home, 298 Grafton St., Worcester, are Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 4-6 p.m. Current guidelines for capacity, wearing face masks and social distancing will be followed throughout services.