Charles E. Allen

Forestport, NY – Charles Edward “Chuck” Allen, 88, husband of Sheila, passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022 at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Utica following a brief illness.

Charles was born in Middletown, Connecticut on March 31, 1934, a son of Alexander and Mary Hanic Allen. Chuck grew up surrounded by the woods, lakes and streams in the rural communities around Hullville, CT, where he learned to hunt, fish and trap; all hobbies that turned into passions his whole life long. He was a good student, but at an early age began working with local farmers and area businesses to help supplement his family’s income. He also acquired many basic skills in carpentry, electricity, raising farm animals, operating heavy machinery, boats and anything else with a motor.

Charles completed his high school education at Norwich Free Academy, and continued to work various part time jobs until he was drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Korean War. He spent 15 months in Korea, using the outdoor survival skills taught to him as a boy to keep him alive while stuck behind enemy lines. Following his overseas tour of duty, Chuck was stationed at Fort Devin, NJ, where he worked in the administration and personnel offices until his honorable discharge. While overseas he developed an interest in photography and sent home hundreds of photos of Korea and Japan.

After Charles was discharged from the military he settled in Wheaton, Maryland where he was the Personnel Manager for the Montgomery Ward store. He made many new friends who shared similar interests of photography and fishing. He also became interested in flying, took classes and obtained his own pilots license. Charles, along with his new group of friends began taking fishing trips to Canada, where they would stay in a rustic fishing and hunting lodge. After making several trips here, Charles purchased the lodge from the elderly owners and ran it for 5 years.

Charles was united in marriage with Sheila Seaton. Realizing the seasonality of their business, they sold the lodge and Charles returned to retail sales. He opened his own store, Sporting Adventure, a fishing and outdoor sporting goods store located in Ellicott City, Maryland. After 15 successful years, Charles sold his store to return to fishing, hunting and spending time in the great outdoors.

The couple settled on Snow Bird Lake in Forestport, NY, where they enjoyed living year round in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2023, at a date and time to be announced. Funeral arrangements are in care of the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville.