IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Homer Nicholas
Allen
September 24, 1923 – November 10, 2016
Obituary
Homer N. Allen, a Life Well Lived
Homer Nicholas Allen, 93, beloved brother, uncle, and Clermont resident, passed away peacefully November 10, 2016, in his home surrounded by family. Everyone who knew Homer would agree he was a larger than life personality. Homer had three life passions. The sea was his first. Homer, the first of four sons, was born September 24, 1923 in Englewood, NJ, to Adele and Nicholas Allen. After graduating from Teaneck High School, he attended Severn School in preparation for admission to The United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1946 with a degree in marine engineering. His first shipboard assignment was the USS Waldron, a destroyer, stationed in the Pacific where he served as assistant gunnery control officer until the end of WW2. After returning stateside, he was assigned to the USS Hugh Purvis, another destroyer, in Plymouth, England. When his active duty ended in 1948, he joined the US Merchant Marine where he earned his Captain's License. During his twelve years as a captain of oil tankers he circled the globe many times. In 1960, he joined Hess Oil Company, Perth Amboy, NJ, where he served as a Port Captain. After leaving Hess Oil in 1968, he became an independent marine consultant, with the responsibility of bringing wayward cargo ships and tankers home from all corners of the world. While on shore leave in 1972 he was playing golf, his second passion, in Orlando with Bill Williams, an old friend. Bill proposed that Homer and he buy a Central Florida business so they could play golf year around. Homer agreed, and one month later they purchased Konsler Steel, a structural steel company owned by Charles and Ellis Konsler. In 1972, it was Clermont's largest private employer. As Central Florida grew up around them they prospered. In 1984 Homer sold his Konsler Steel ownership to enjoy semi-retirement, managing his investments and playing golf. Homer's third passion was philanthropy. Homer was an original supporter of The Boggy Creek Gang, founded by Paul Newman and General Norman Schwarzkopf. In 2010, he was inducted into The Schwarzkopf Society as a Charter Member. Another favorite charity was South Lake Hospital, where in 2005, The Homer N. Allen Fund for Nursing Scholarships was established. Cornerstone Hospice, Florida Hospital, The Naval Academy and Severn School also benefitted from Homer's loyalty and financial support. He is survived by Milton, his brother (wife Liesa) of Essex, CT; Gordie, his brother (wife Bertha) of Winter Garden, FL; nephew Nicholas, (wife Jean) and family of Newburyport, MA; nephew, Anthony, (wife DiDi) and family of Newburyport, MA; niece, Lisa and family of Nashua, NH and niece, Johanna Sadik, and family of Bedford, NH.
We wish to thank: Dian, Tracy, Rene and Gail, his caregivers who treated him like family. With special appreciation to Cornerstone Hospice nurses: Sue and Jennifer who provided guidance and comfort during his final days.
Homer's remains will be interred at The US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations, in memory of Homer N. Allen, to The Boggy Creek Gang at campboggycreek.org or, The South Lake Hospital Foundation at southlakehospital.com
In January 2017, there will be a memorial luncheon at a TBD day, time and location.
Homer Nicholas Allen, 93, beloved brother, uncle, and Clermont resident, passed away peacefully November 10, 2016, in his home surrounded by family. Everyone who knew Homer would agree he was a larger than life personality. Homer had three life passions. The sea was his first. Homer, the first of four sons, was born September 24, 1923 in Englewood, NJ, to Adele and Nicholas Allen. After graduating from Teaneck High School, he attended Severn School in preparation for admission to The United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1946 with a degree in marine engineering. His first shipboard assignment was the USS Waldron, a destroyer, stationed in the Pacific where he served as assistant gunnery control officer until the end of WW2. After returning stateside, he was assigned to the USS Hugh Purvis, another destroyer, in Plymouth, England. When his active duty ended in 1948, he joined the US Merchant Marine where he earned his Captain's License. During his twelve years as a captain of oil tankers he circled the globe many times. In 1960, he joined Hess Oil Company, Perth Amboy, NJ, where he served as a Port Captain. After leaving Hess Oil in 1968, he became an independent marine consultant, with the responsibility of bringing wayward cargo ships and tankers home from all corners of the world. While on shore leave in 1972 he was playing golf, his second passion, in Orlando with Bill Williams, an old friend. Bill proposed that Homer and he buy a Central Florida business so they could play golf year around. Homer agreed, and one month later they purchased Konsler Steel, a structural steel company owned by Charles and Ellis Konsler. In 1972, it was Clermont's largest private employer. As Central Florida grew up around them they prospered. In 1984 Homer sold his Konsler Steel ownership to enjoy semi-retirement, managing his investments and playing golf. Homer's third passion was philanthropy. Homer was an original supporter of The Boggy Creek Gang, founded by Paul Newman and General Norman Schwarzkopf. In 2010, he was inducted into The Schwarzkopf Society as a Charter Member. Another favorite charity was South Lake Hospital, where in 2005, The Homer N. Allen Fund for Nursing Scholarships was established. Cornerstone Hospice, Florida Hospital, The Naval Academy and Severn School also benefitted from Homer's loyalty and financial support. He is survived by Milton, his brother (wife Liesa) of Essex, CT; Gordie, his brother (wife Bertha) of Winter Garden, FL; nephew Nicholas, (wife Jean) and family of Newburyport, MA; nephew, Anthony, (wife DiDi) and family of Newburyport, MA; niece, Lisa and family of Nashua, NH and niece, Johanna Sadik, and family of Bedford, NH.
We wish to thank: Dian, Tracy, Rene and Gail, his caregivers who treated him like family. With special appreciation to Cornerstone Hospice nurses: Sue and Jennifer who provided guidance and comfort during his final days.
Homer's remains will be interred at The US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations, in memory of Homer N. Allen, to The Boggy Creek Gang at campboggycreek.org or, The South Lake Hospital Foundation at southlakehospital.com
In January 2017, there will be a memorial luncheon at a TBD day, time and location.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Homer Nicholas Allen, please visit our flower store.
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