William James Allen

3.01.1947 – 31.08.2022

Dad lived a full life, born in Frankston, Victoria 3rd of January 1947, dad was the second youngest of 6 children - dads brother Sammy, and sisters Joan, Janice , Vickie and Susan, born to Violet Francis Allen and Harold James Allen. Dad began his working life early, taking up a Baker Pastry Cook apprenticeship at the age of 14, inspired by his stepdad pop baker, even winning an apprentice award through honing his craft. He knew how to make a great pie; his cream buns and vanilla slice were off the chart. I remember in high school he would always bring home a tray of donuts and slices to share amongst our school friends. Dad loved playing AFL and tennis, he spent his early adulthood years playing AFL for Langwarren Football Club, he attended a memorial there in June 2022, picking up 2 medals for team of the decade for 1960 to 69 and 1970 to 79. Dad had 5 children, Tess and Damian to his first wife Robyn and myself, Will and Jake to his second wife Michelle. Dad has 14 grandchildren in total & 1 great grandchild. Dad spent time residing both here in Australia and New Zealand, before settling permanently here on the Gold Coast.

 

In 1997 dad had an unfortunate bakery accident which resulted in the amputation of his right hand. This was a huge turning point in the road for him, he spent many years fighting back some dark demons, Dad found the light again in a beautiful woman - Fiona. Dad and Fee had a beautiful and special love and friendship, Fee filled dads life with adventures and some tough love.. which at times he definitely needed. Dad met many friends along the way through his love for poker, which he found later in his life, always the one dropping the inappropriate jokes and one liners. He loved to make people laugh, it made him happy. Thank you to his friends, and the friends that became family that he met through poker, it lit up his life and Wednesday nights became a highlight when Woodie would come to pick him up and they’d head to a game. Dad lived a full life and loved every minute of it, it wasn't always easy, but he made the most of the cards he was dealt. 

Thank you doesn’t begin to even come close to expressing how i feel about you dad, but i just want you to know, i too feel that same love for Jayden & Dray as you do and did for me & your sons Damian, Will, Jake and daughter Tess & just like the long days you experienced, the dark days and your most beautiful moments. I see what you sacrificed and how much you loved and still love. I finally see everything you've done and continued to do. Thank you for being my safe place, the person I could talk to about anything with no judgement.

I would walk this journey with you a hundred times over if it meant I got to have you by my side. You have always been my biggest supporter, my judge & jury. Would I have it any other way, not at all. You have taught me resilience, strength, compassion, and love.

You fought a battle so many could only imagine. I saw you dad for the man you were, strong, caring, loving, the larrikin, the fighter, a true Aussie battler. Thank you for pushing me to strive for more, to do better, to be better.

Glasshouse Community Supports was inspired by you dad, we will continue to push forward to bring about that change, and like you said dad you'll be sitting on my right shoulder driving the wheel, I love you forever and a day, your struggle is over now, you can rest easy, we've got this, Love you dad.