Donald A. Allen

BARRE – Donald “Don” Gray Allen, 88, of Camp Street passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019 at his home.

Born July 3, 1931 in Barre, he was the son of Sheldon C. and Helen (Cumming) Allen. Donald grew up on the family farm on Camp Street, where he has remained his entire lifetime. He attended local elementary schools and graduated from the old Spaulding High School class of 1950. He later attended the evening division of Memorial Art School.

In 1954, he founded Sky-Cleft Gardens, a mail order plant nursery specializing in perennials especially rock garden plants, growing over 1000 varieties.   This business served as an experiment station for rare plants from all over the world.

In 1966, he joined the staff of the local family business Granite City Tool Company and later became Executive Vice President, a role he has held to the present time. Don spent much time researching the history of the granite business and of Barre which resulted in a speech at the Vermont Bicentennial in 1991 and writing Barre Granite Heritage with a guide to the cemeteries in 1997 under the auspices of the Aldrich Public Library.

His memberships included the American Rock Garden Society and the American Primrose Society. The Barre Congregational Church, where he was a life-long member, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the financial committee and for over 25 years as a deacon. He was also a member of Vermont Historical Society.

He was chairman of the historical anniversary in 1987 for which he authored the award-winning book, “Barre’s Quest for Faith”, and likewise chaired the bicentennial celebration of 1999 writing the “Bicentennial Souvenir”.

A life-long gardening enthusiast, he also enjoyed reading and collecting historical books and liked exploring the back roads of Central Vermont. He enjoyed genealogy and wrote several family essays on the subject. In addition, he was the author of numerous horticultural articles for leading national gardening magazines and gave lectures at local clubs.

Survivors include two nephews Jeffrey S. Allen of Graniteville, VT and William S. Allen, Jr., of Keene, NH; his niece Deborah Dinagan of Swanzey, NH; and many cousins including Shirley Hodges of Russell, MA.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother William S. Allen, Sr. and his niece Susan Mascola.

The memorial service to honor and celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church Street, Barre. Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Entombment will be made in the family mausoleum in Elmwood Cemetery in the Spring.