WWII Vet, Stony Hill Ambulance Lt. Allen Tate, 88

Obituary provided by Hull Funeral Home.

Allen Linwood Tate passed away Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 at his home in Bethel. He was the husband of the late Olive (Bowdin) Tate.

Allen was born in Ellsworth, Maine, Jan. 18, 1925, the son of Leon and Louise Tate, fifth in line among seven siblings. He had a typical Maine rural childhood through depression times.

At age 18 he enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve and served 19 months in Oran, North Africa in World War II. He learned how to do acetylene burning and cutting and repaired ships for the invasions. He helped to put LCTs (landing craft tanks) on the decks of the LSTs to ship to England and then returned to the U.S. to Newport, RI to commission a ship – the U.S.S. Sylania. He was aboard the Sylvania when the surrender was made with Japan.

From there he went to Richmond, CA Naval Shipyard and was transferred to the Refuge (a naval hospital ship). He attained the rank of Metalsmith 2nd class. After a trip to Yokohama he returned home (1946) and finished high school.

Allen came to Connecticut in 1947 and began a job with Chance-Vought Aircraft. He was transferred to Pratt Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford. From there he went to Seeburg Industries where he worked with metallurgical tools.

During his time with Seeburg, he was an exhibitor at industrial shows (exhibiting equipment). He established a machine shop at Warlock Systems Inc. and became a machinist at National Can. He ended his career in 1992 as a retired Teamster.

With Mrs. Tate he traveled much of the U.S. (visiting caverns) and spent 14 days traveling in Europe. Allen spent many years volunteering for the Stony Hill Fire Department, including ambulance lieutenant.

He served as President of AARP 2449 for six years and drove for 25 years for the Cancer Society. He was a 4th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus.

The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Bethel, Friday at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Eastern Cemetery, Gorham, ME with military honors on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers donations in his name may be made to Housatonic Habitat for Humanity 51 Austin Street, Danbury, CT 06810 or to Danbury Animal Welfare Society, 147 Grassy Plain St. Bethel, CT 06801.

Information and online condolences at Hullfuneralservice.com.