On March 26th, funeral services were held in honor of Firefighter Robert "Bobby" Allen at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson.
The Paterson Firefighters Association would like to thank all mutual aid departments for their coverage, allowing our brothers and sisters to be able to attend the services. We also want to thank all of the Locals and Agencies who attended, and gave support, while we grieved the loss of one of our own. We recognize many giving support were also grieving, as this was a loss for us all.
We also thank The Paterson Diocese and the Cathedral for hosting the mass and services, and Martinez Memorial for facilitating the entire process.
Bobby was a giant of a man, in heart, in friendship, and in brotherhood; the sendoff was beautiful and we believe we did him proud. It is no mystery to the Allen family how loved Bobby was, and the impact he made upon so many people from so many places and times in his incredible life. We are grateful to have shared friendship & service with him, we love him and will miss him for all days to come. Thank you Bobby.
Obituary via Martinez Memorial
To say that Robert “Bobby” Allen lost his battle with cancer would be inaccurate.
Indeed, when Bobby, beloved and surrounded by his immediate family, his much extended firefighting family, and enough friends to fill the stadium of his favored Tottenham Hotspurs, closed out his courageous fight on March 18, he did it his way.
Born in Paterson 1960 and a graduate of Don Bosco Tech in 1978, Bobby was appointed to the Paterson Fire Department on May 18, 1992, and, in the 32 years since, left a mark that will never be forgotten, sharing his wit, wisdom, skills, and so much more with generations of firefighters.
Bobby, a responder on September 11, 2001, and his service to the Paterson Fire Department, as well as to his union, both locally and statewide, will never be forgotten. In a recent presentation from his brother and sister firefighters Bobby was praised for his “friendship, service, and sacrifice” and celebrated for his ability to always keep cool and calm, whether at a fire scene or in the firehouse.
His cool demeanor extended to countless public events where Bobby was often called on to serve as emcee, or impart knowledge, his style one that afforded him the ability to make a joke, sometimes at his own expense, and absorb the laughter, or lack thereof when a one-liner fell flat. No matter the quality of the humor, when Bobby spoke all within earshot listened.
A storyteller at heart, Bobby’s ability to weave incredible detail, imagery, and wit into the lore he shared meant that being in his presence would always be a memorable experience.
Bobby’s unique style, diplomat like qualities, sense of fairness, and unique ability to extend love to all he came into contact with, made him an ideal labor leader, something he wore as a badge of honor, serving in several positions, including as President, both within FMBA Local 2, and at the state level where his more than a decade of work as the Chairman of the NJFMBA’s Legislative Committee helped shape countless pieces of legislation impacting thousands of career firefighters and retirees that may never have known his name but live and work better and safer because of his work.
Survived by his wife Marianne; his parents Paterson Battalion Chief Edward Allen (ret) and Peggy; his brother Christopher and his wife Bonnie; his sisters Lynn and Beth, and her husband Matt; and nephews and nieces Aaron, Allison, Brett, Caitlin, Cameron, Courtney, Ethan, and Jay; Bobby, even in his passing, will to continue to give back to his Paterson Fire Department and union requesting that in lieu of flowers those that want to honor his life well lived do so by donating in his name to the Paterson Firefighters Foundation for the construction of the Paterson Firefighters Memorial Garden.
Donations for the Paterson Firefighters Memorial Garden can be sent to:
Paterson Firefighters Foundation
300 McBride Ave.
Paterson, NJ 07501
