Thomas Elliott Allen

Thomas Elliott Allen passed away on the morning of Jan 31, 2025 at the Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington, Vermont, from a recent illness.

He lived a long and eventful life.

Tom was born May 21, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, to Helen Lauzon Allen, of Bennington, and Elliott Allen, a Michigan native.

At the age of 3 years, after his parents parted ways, Tom relocated to Bennnington with his mother and older brother Warren. He enjoyed a warm and supportive family experience there, in the company of maternal grandparents and several uncles, aunts and cousins. Tom's grandfather Edmond Lauzon was born in 1884, in the now non-existent town of Glastenbury, Vermont, after his parents had migrated from Quebec.

Tom grew up in more than a dozen diverse neighborhoods in Bennington. Naturally outgoing and cheerful, he made friends all over town, rather than only with the kids who went to the same schools.

In 1958, Tom's family expanded when his mother remarried -- to Joseph Sohl, followed by the birth of seven-years-younger brother Joe.

Tom attended local parochial schools, first following his mother's footsteps to Sacred Heart School. Fortunately for Tom, the language of instruction had switched from French to English by the time he started 1st grade.

In 1965, Tom continued his studies -- and his social life -- at Bennington Catholic High School. His many friendships carried over from Sacred Heart School were supplemented here by new ones formed with students from the town's other parochial school, Saint Francis de Sales.

When Bennington Catholic High School closed its doors after the class of 1967's graduation, Tom and his classmates migrated to the newly commissioned Mount Anthony Union High School, joined by a new infusion of potential friends from 'BenHi' -- Bennington High School (R.I.P.). Tom washed a lot of dishes during this time, at the Vermont Steak House, where his mother and his aunt Flo waited tables for good tips.

Tom graduated from MAUHS in June of 1969... just in time to attend the Woodstock Festival with his older brother and three carfulls of fellow adventurers. Tom braved the crowds and the weather despite being hobbled by a full-length leg cast, which mostly dissolved in the ensuing rain and mud.

Tom formed many important and long lasting friendships during this time, with people including Sharon Shea, Jim Shea, Beth Noyes, Catherine Noyes, Karen Howe, Pete Howe, Robert LaPorte, Cindy McCann, Andre Fonteneau, Madeline Fonteneau, and Joe Boutin.
St Joseph's Business College (later Southern Vermont College) was Tom's final stop on the educational conveyor. Before and during his time there, he and fellow student George Krawczyk started work at Evans' News (at its earlier Main St. location nestled between the Cone Building and the Bennington Banner offices).

Tom held down several jobs in the ensuing decades, including carpenter at Bennington Potters, several years of service on Joe Boutin's Blazing Hammers carpentry crew, and a delivery driver for Fairdale Farms.

In late 1979, Tom enlisted in the U. S. Navy. After Basic Training, he was stationed at a base in Rota, Spain in 1982 for a few years. His veteran status proved very valuable to him in the final years of his life -- at the Vermont Veterans' Home, where he was cared for by a very professional and supportive staff. A resident of Cardinal Point, the staff and residents became a second family to him.

Tom was very fond of hats, and even more so of cats, of which he often had several on hand. He was also a longtime, loyal, and very active friend of Bill W.

Tom was much loved by his mother and brothers, and also by his many longtime friends, who remember his sweet, relaxed, and gracious disposition, how thoroughly he enjoyed life and the company of his close companions over the years, and how ready and bright his laugh and smile were.

He is predeceased by his mother, the former Helen Lauzon, and his father, Elliott Allen.

He is survived by older brother Warren Allen and wife Mary of Laguna Woods, CA, and by younger brother Joseph Sohl and wife Tammy, of Pownal, VT., and by  nephew Lucien Allen and his wife (and their three young boys), and by nephew Matthew Sohl, and by niece Samantha Sohl.

Burial will take place at the convenience of the family.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions in honor of Tom may be made to the Vermont Veterans Home Activities Fund c/o Hanson Walbridge Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201