Obituary of Henderson Spurgeon Allen

Henderson S. Allen, age 98, of Halifax passed away February 21 surrounded by family at the Halifax Infirmary. Born in Northport, Nova Scotia, he was the son of Gideon V. Allen and Lauretta O. Stright. Allen, as almost everyone called him, was a man of many talents and something of a force of nature. He was one of those rare individuals who could build something from just an idea, or take something he hadn’t seen before apart and put it back together again. Many stopped by his well-equipped workshop to get advice, use a tool, or get help on a project. He founded several businesses over the years, the most successful of which was Wanderlust Trailer Sales. He took great joy in quietly helping others, volunteering many years in the church’s Hope Cottage and Senior’s ministries. He was a veteran serving first with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders (Militia) and then in WW2 as a member of the newly formed RCEME. Allen made friends easily and would often bring people he just met home for a meal (much to Joyce’s surprise). He enjoyed square dancing forming many new friendships travelling throughout the Maritimes. He was a founding member of the Nova Scotia chapter of the Canadian Hemophilia Society. He is survived by his wife Joyce (Lowther) of almost 65 years, his son Paul (Eileen) Allen and daughter Lisa (Linus Leblanc) Allen; granddaughter Katie (Charles) Harland; grandson Zachary (Meghan) Allen; great-granddaughters Bethany and Josie Allen, and Evie Harland; and great-grandson Joshua Allen; brothers Gordon (Helen) Blair, Stewart (Eileen) Blair; sisters Grace Huntley and Alice Morrison. He was predeceased by sisters Beulah Shaw and Melcora Brown. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Birch Cove Baptist Church, 50 Donaldson Avenue, Halifax, NS B3M 3B5. An informal visitation will take place at the church starting at 1:30 pm. A reception will follow. Interment will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Birch Cove Baptist Church (E-transfer: bcbcfinancial@gmail.com) or the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Hemophilia Society (E-transfer: nschapter@hemophilia.ca ). Please include “Allen – in memory” in the message body. Special thanks to Sue Robinson and Sue Van Oosten (his Two Sue’s) who were instrumental in his care, as well as Dr F. Spicer. Thanks also to the nurses and doctors on 8.2 at the Halifax Infirmary for their excellent care and compassion. COVID note: Masking during the service is optional. The church has a masks-only section.