Bernard Horace Allen

Groton – Bernard H. Allen, age 92, passed away on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Known to all as Barney, he was born August 3, 1928, in Brooklyn, NY. At 17, he joined the Navy to serve his country near the end of WWII. His service as a torpedoman continued into the Korean War, where he served aboard the USS Robert A. Owens (DD-827), the USS Barton (DD-722), and the USS Henley (DD-762). On the USS Frontier (AD-25), Barney became a deep-sea rescue diver. His service bridged into the Vietnam War before he retired from the Navy in 1965 while serving on the USS Fulton (AS-11).

Barney joined the Waterford Police Dept. in 1965 and said they are “Second to none.” In 1983, he qualified as a Bomb Technician for the ATF. Promoted to Lieutenant, he served the community until he retired in 1991. Alongside law enforcement, he worked 32 years as a longshoreman for Local 1411.

An avid fisherman, Barney loved boating on his fishing boat, the Boston Blacky. In his later years, his love for animals prevailed by adopting neighborhood stray cats.

A lifetime member of the Connecticut 100 Club, Barney also belonged to the Masons, Shriner Lodge, Tuckerbung Association, VFW Legion, and the Groton Elks.

His death was preceded by his wife, Ruth Margret Hoy Allen, and stepchildren Marilyn and Steven (Skip). Barney lost Ruth to Alzheimer’s Disease and is known to the hospital staff as Tootsie for all the candy he brought to those who provide so much care.

Survivors include Barry S. Allen and his wife, Laurie E. Allen, and stepdaughter Beverly Martin.

A private funeral service will be held on…