Obituary of Preston Andrew Allen

Born October 10th, 1987, Preston Andrew Allen was the only child of Patricia Allen (Durham Bridge) and George Allen (Bayfield). Preston was, both Pat and George say, the very best thing that could have ever happened to them. He was loved beyond love, and he will be missed beyond anything that could be imagined. As a boy, Preston grew up and thrived in the community of Durham Bridge along the Nashwaak River. For years he was a member of the Taymouth United Church Sunday School and he attended Nashwaak Valley Taymouth Elementary. He steadfastly held onto lifetime friendships he'd made there. Preston played on the Nashwaak River Rats soccer team and was also a member of the Stanley Bulldogs recreational hockey team for six years. As a kid, he loved playing and hiking in the woods, sliding in local gravel pits and wading in the river. His pants could never hold their knee patches and his dogs (Barney, Lucky and Kipper) would have lain down their lives for him. He was a country boy. From before he could walk or talk, Preston spent many carefree vacations with family and friends on the east coast camping at Murray Park, close to his father's fishing business on Northumberland Strait and close to Nanny and Grampie's home in Bayfield (where pumpkin pie was always fresh and lobster was an everyday meal). Preston also frequently visited his grandfather at Youghall Beach (Bathurst) where he spent happy times on his Papa's boats, paddling, sailing, fishing, or maybe just combing the bars for clams. Papa was known to set up two easels in his yard to teach his grandson to paint trees and mountains. Preston's much-loved Bus Nanny visited Durham Bridge frequently and often made his favorite chocolate sauce while his mother was away for work. At age 11, after working out a deal with the River Bend Golf Pro, Preston spent rainy days collecting, cleaning and reselling unblemished golf balls for $.25 each. By age 14 Preston was riding his bike to a summer job at Cedar Valley Springs. At Nashwaaksis Middle School and Leo Hayes High he spent noon hours pursuing his interest in Art, practicing Tai Chi, and playing badminton. Preston also took pride in building his muscles. His weekends and summers were taken up by working in the Brookside Sobey's Meat Department. Saving his money, at age 16, with only a bit of help, Preston purchased an aging dark blue Nissan 1/4 ton truck. To Preston, that truck was better than a new Cadillac. For five years it was his pride and joy. Graduating Leo Hayes High School with an attached Certificate in Fine Art, Preston moved on to Mount Allison University where he studied art. To help pay his way, he took a job supervising the Mount Allison Staff and Student Gym. In 2010, he was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art. His final year focused on works inspired by his father's fishing profession. In producing installations, the like of which had never before been displayed at Mount A, Preston was quoted as saying," Although I am not or never will be a fisherman myself, I learned more this last year about who I am on an artistic level as well as a personal one." Preston was an artist, but he just couldn't see being a starving artist, so he completed a course in personal training and worked at Good Life Fitness for a short while. With the possibility of steady work in the trades, Preston next pursed carpentry at NBCC. Graduating that program with distinction, Preston was hired by Colpitt's Construction Fredericton, where he later received his Red Seal status. After 6 years, with a desire to broaden his horizons, in the spring of 2021 Preston relocated to New View Designs, construction unit. Preston was known professionally as a dependable worker whose strong work ethic and meticulousness was admired by colleagues and supervisors alike. He took great pride in a well-executed task, which carried over into his personal life as well, whether he was building a Lego house or renovating his own home. Preston and Jennifer married during Hurricane Arthur on July 5th, 2014. Purchasing a small house in Barker's Point, Preston immediately started renovating. He transformed their home from the ground up to the roof, sometimes with the help of Greg and George, but predominately by himself. Preston's most precious possession and the joy of his life was their little boy, Benson, born in 2016. Preston and Benson (whom he almost always called "Bear" or "Little Bear") passed hours and hours building Lego creations, discussing "battling", and wrestling. Benson always won the wrestling matches. In recent years, Benson has developed a strong interest in Pokemon, so Preston would bring out his beloved childhood Pokemon cards to share them with Benson, which must have been difficult for him, but he loved seeing the joy in Benson’s face at the prospect of a new card. When not working, Preston, Jenn and Benson spent time playing board games, I Spy, biking up and down the crescent, hiking on the Fredericton Trail System behind their home, and having water or snowball fights in the yard. On Sundays, Benson and his dad would head out to Durham Bridge for Sunday Brunch with Nanny and Grampie. After fun-filled days on the trail and in the wrestling ring, Preston was always on bedtime duty. His quiet demeanor was the perfect way to send Benson off to sleep. During the early years of dating and marriage, Jenn hauled Preston to lots of gatherings and parties (sometimes he enjoyed them…mostly he pretended he had). Once Benson was born, Jenn gave up on forced outings and both enjoyed just watching TV and relaxed conversations in the evenings after Benson finally fell asleep (unless Preston fell asleep with him, which was often the case). Memories of those evening conversations are treasured memories for Jenn. Preston was much loved and predeceased by grandparents Nanny Vera Allen, Grampie Myers Allen, and Papa Gordon Allen. Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home on Saturday, December 11th, 2021, from 1:00 – 2:20 pm with the memorial service immediately following at 2:30 pm. Due to current provincial regulations, proof of vaccination and government issued identification will be required for entry to the visitation and service. For those unable to attend in person a livestream will be available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/654559489. In lieu of flowers, donations to Barker's Point Elementary School would be very much appreciated.