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Joseph Allen Jr., 95, Former Darien Publishing VP

DARIEN, Conn. – Joseph Henry Allen Jr. of Stamford died June 1. He was 95.

He was born Nov. 9, 1916, in Evanston, Ill., to Joseph Henry Allen and Ann Eugenia Jansen Allen. He attended public schools in Evanston and graduated from Kenyon College in 1938. Allen also attended graduate school at Northwestern and Stanford universities. 

During World War II, he served for four years as a Naval officer, including duty in the South Pacific as an aide to Adm. Robert Briscoe, commander of the Pacific Amphibious Group Operations.  

Allen worked at McGraw-Hill Co. in many locations and in various management positions, including president of the McGraw-Hill Publications Co. He was a longtime member of its board of directors.  

After retiring from McGraw-Hill, Allen joined United Technologies Corp. as senior vice president. Later, he served as assistant dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Connecticut for seven years.  

A 50-year resident of Darien, Allen was active in town affairs as a trustee of the Darien Library and as a founder of the original Bank of Darien. For the last seven years, he lived in New Canaan. 

Allen was also a longtime member of the Wee Burn County Club. He played tennis and was a self-described "cocktail lounge" pianist. 

He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Eleanor Clark Allen. He is survived by a son, David Allen, of Millbrook, N.Y.; two daughters, Elisabeth Adams, of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Melinda Beardsley, of Darien; and five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. 

A memorial service will held at noon Friday at Noroton Presbyterian Church of Darien. Edward Lawrence Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joseph H. Allen Fund at Norwalk Grassroots Tennis, 394 West Ave., Norwalk, CT 06850.

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