Dean Allen- R.I.P.

[mervap]

Here's another name nobody here would know...Dean Allen lived in Raleigh, N.C. and was as fine a gentleman I have ever met. I knew Dean through a Ford Festiva forum and he was something of a Festy mentor to me. He and his wonderful wife Barb opened their home to me a number of times while I travelled to car meets and group activities. If I needed a part for The Baron, Dean was there and would not accept payment...he also co-founded the biggest Festiva Meet ever back in October, Festiva Madness.

Please keep Dean and all of his family in your thoughts and prayers...

[Derek]

Sounds like a true friend. You say you met him on a message board? I have yet to meet someone face2face i met on a board. What's Ford Festiva, is that something to do with cars?
Sounds like you're dealing with one too many losses in one period, thats gotta hurt. I went through a loss like that once during the first half of 1997, my maternal grandfather, my stepfather and my real father all within the first 5 months of '97. Bummer of a year! The hardest loss was my real dad. Ill keep you and Dean's family in my prayers.

[mervap]

Thanks, Derek....it has been a really tough year so far. Dean was the kind of guy who could shake your hand and you would instantly feel as if you'd known him for years. The very first time I ever met Dean I had driven to his house on my way to Ohio...it was a bit out of my way to go there first, but it would break the trip up into two more manageable days, plus I would have other people travelling with me to keep me alert and entertained. I drove up to his house and he and his wife Barb met me out front. After a couple of minutes of introductions, I asked what they were doing at the moment and he said they were getting Barb's car ready for the trip. I asked if there was anything I could do to help out and he said sure, so he and I set to work on Barb's Festiva, until late in the evening. It was fun just wrenching with the guy and getting to know him.

The Festiva is a sub-compact car made by Kia motors of South Korea for the Ford Motor Co....it's a Mazda design, so they are very reliable. I've owned 4 different Festys....the one I call The Baron is my most recent one...here's a pic:

[2 of 3]

Jeez Pat Sorry to hear this sad news. My condolences to his family and friends. 

[Greg]

If you say Dean was a great guy, then that's all I need.  I hope you keep your friend's memory alive throughout your life.  And may you always consider him your friend.

[Kylenz]

Any Ford man is a good guy in my book! 

[lampie1970]