R. Dennis Allen

“The Allens have left The Building,” the May 4, 2018, Lake Placid News headline read when Denny retired after 37.5 years. And to quote his speech on his father’s passing, “My father spent a lifetime in service to this community.” The saying that “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” could never be more true.

Denny began his sports and event administrative career in 1978, when he was hired as an assistant for ice sports at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. He was later appointed venue manager of the Sheffield Speed Skating Oval for the Olympic Games. After the Olympics, he was hired as director of operations of the iconic Olympic Center by the town of North Elba. Denny went on to become director of events for the Olympic Regional Development Authority and later was promoted to general manager of the Olympic Center.

Denny has been involved in countless national and international figure skating, ice hockey and speedskating events as well as numerous concerts and conventions. In 2002 during pregame and Olympic Games competition in Salt Lake City, he was a consultant and field-of-play supervisor, overseeing ice preparations for both short-track speedskating and figure skating. He held this same position for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, enjoying every second.

He has been a prominent figure in the Lake Placid ice hockey program. For 20 years, he has served as a coach and official. He has coached the U6 hockey program for Lake Placid Youth Athletic Association, been an Eastern College Athletic Conference referee and linesman, and has been a part of the National Ice Hockey Officials Association.

Denny loved walking his dogs, hiking, kayaking and traveling. But most of all, he loved life and his family.

Denny is predeceased by Bob and Gloria Allen.

He is survived by his beloved wife Karen Cooper; his daughter Halina Allen Lyons and her husband Chas of Middlebury, Vermont; and precious granddaughters Aurelia and Beatrix; Karen’s children Sasha, Josh (Alison) and Casey; his sister Darcy Allen Pattison and her husband Taylor of Northport; his sister Deborah Allen Modrovsky and her husband Albert of Park City, Utah; and his brother David Breen Allen of Lake Placid. He is also survived by his nieces: Ashley, Sarah, Alison, Breen and Paige, and his nephew Daniel.

Calling hours wil be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 at M.B. Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid. The memorial service will be held at the 1980 Olympic Rink at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8. On Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m., there will be an Open Skate Memorial on the Olympic Speedskating Oval with free admission and skate rentals in honor of Denny.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the PeeWee Association or the Nursing Education Memorial Fund Associations.

Relatives and friends are invited to share a memory, order flowers upload a photo or leave condolences at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com.