Vernon Allain

Vernon Joseph Allain ("Billy and VJ") went to eternal rest October 18, 2012. He leaves his loving and caring wife of fifty six years, Irene McGrath Allain and their seven sons and families-Brian, his wife Patti and children Kristin, Michael and Courtney, Keith, his wife Mi and their children Josefine, Julia, and Niklas, Daniel, his wife Kathy and their children Jil McGinnes and VJ's great granddaughter Violet, Tara Boyer and John, David, his wife Denise and their children Matthew and Ali, Andrew, his wife Sharon and their children Drew and Wesley, Gerald, his wife Laura and their children Nina and Eve, and Christopher and his children Olivia and Christopher. He also sadly leaves his best friend and faithful brother Leonard Allain and his sister in law Barbara Allain. He joins in eternal rest his brothers Donald, Reggie, Roger, Vernon, and his sisters Mildred and Doris. Vernon was born on November 15, 1929 to Anselme and Rita Allain in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. He lived the American Dream immigrating to the United States at the age of seventeen where he became a US citizen and served his country during the Korean War. He earned the Marksman Badge and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon his discharge, he began his career as a painter with the Henry Bottcher Painting Company. From there he joined Norton Company and for the next thirty-six years served in the Painting Department in a supervisory capacity. He is best remembered for painting a yellow ribbon on the Norton water tower during the Iraq War. For twenty years Bill also worked as a Security Guard at the DCU center and upon his retirement was honored for being one of the original members of the staff. However, never one to sit idle he continued to work in his retirement and spent many years at the Oxford Auto Auction indulging in his passion for automobiles. As a young man, Bill was a member of the Semi-Professional Hockey Team -the Worcester Warriors. He was a left wing, a prolific scorer and was known to have had one of the hardest slap shots in the League. He instilled this love of hockey in his sons who he enjoyed coaching as a founding member of the Worcester Pee Wee Hockey League. He also coached hockey at St. John's in Shrewsbury. He had a love of baseball and founded the Minor League Capital Toys Ted Williams Little League Team where at one time his sons made up over half the team. Bill also was a nationally ranked horseshoe tournament player. He spent many hours at Woodland Street and Beaver Brook honing his shot. In the winter, Bill played candlepin bowling and again was a tournament champ. In his "retirement" Bill and his wife "Snookie" traveled extensively visiting much of Europe and his beloved Canada. He regaled his family with his travel stories and urged his grandchildren to see the world. A deeply devoted Roman Catholic, Bill was a communicant at St. Roch's Church in Oxford, MA. The family would like to thank Father Roy, the seminarians, the Sisters of St. Ann and the parishioners of St. Roch's for their prayers. Special thanks to Natalia and Nellie for their care and companionship during Bill's illness. Their kindness and concern will not be forgotten. Bill was a "Good Man" who will be deeply missed. A funeral will be held on Monday, October 22, 2012, from Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at St. Roch's Cemetery, Oxford. Calling hours are Sunday, October 21, 2012, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.