Allen McBride

Allen Currier McBride age 73 years of Mickleton went home to be with the Lord on November 29, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. Allen was born in Buffalo, New York to Allen and Ethel Sheldon McBride. He attended Paulsboro High School for his freshman year and he graduated from Pitman High School in 1954. Allen started as an Apprentice with Pettit Funeral Home in 1955 and was a 1959 graduate of Eckels College of Mortuary Science, Philadelphia. Allen met his wife, Sandra Ray while in Choir at Pitman High and they were married in 1958. They returned to Paulsboro where they raised their two daughters, Beth McBride Foley and Alane Marie Horner. Allen continued with the funeral home and in 1965 he became a partner in Pettit - McBride Funeral Home which he purchased in 1971. His daughter Beth became his business partner in 1995. He was a member and Past Secretary of the Paulsboro Volunteer Fire Assoc. #1, the Paulsboro Firemen’s Relief Assoc., an Exempt Member of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and a member of the Paulsboro Ambulance Association. Allen was a Paulsboro School Board Member from 1975 to 1993, an Honorary Member of the National Honor Society of Paulsboro High School; a past Boro of Paulsboro Planning Board Member, a Past President of the Paulsboro Kiwanis Club and a member of the Paulsboro Chamber of Commerce. He became a member of the Paulsboro Swedesboro Masonic Lodge #157 F. & A.M. in 1965, the Gloucester County Shrine Club, Member of Excelsior Consistory, Collingswood; Member Crescent Temple Shrine, Trenton; and a member and Past Scribe for Glassboro Forest #1, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Glassboro. Allen was also a member and Two Term President in 1992 – 1994 of the West Jersey Funeral Directors Assoc., Past Delegate at Large in 1994 – 1996 of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Assoc., and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. He was a Charter Member of the Funeral Ethics Assoc. and was listed as an Extraordinary Professional in 1993. Allen also helped restart the East Greenwich Twp. Senior Citizens Club and served as President for several terms. Allen received several awards for his community service, he was Citizen of the Year in 1988 from George D. Patton Jr. V.F.W. Post #678, he received awards from Paulsboro Volunteer Fire Co. for Outstanding Dedicated Service and for Appreciation and in 1993 he received the Paulsboro Board of Education Resolution for service to the community. Allen was a devout member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Paulsboro where he was a Past Sunday School Teacher, Past President of the A. Monte Woodard Sunday School Class, and he served on any committee he could to support his church. In 2008 Allen became a resident of Shady Lane Nursing Home whose staff became part of his extended family. He also served as the President of the Residents Council. Every Tuesday “Mr. Allen” greatly enjoyed reading stories to the kids up in the daycare. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Sandra McBride (nee Ray) of Mickleton; his children, Beth and Thomas D. Foley II of Mickleton, Alane Marie and David Horner of Gibbstown; his grandchildren, Laura Beth and Emma Kate Foley and Ian Horner; his sister, Judy and brother in law Ron Kurlander of Sarasota, Florida; his nephews Allen and Ted Storms and niece Karen Storms Hewitt. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM Friday December 4, 2009 in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 2 East Broad St., Paulsboro. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6 to 9 PM in the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, 228 W. Broad St., Paulsboro and Friday morning after 10:15 AM in the church. The Paulsboro – Swedesboro Masonic Lodge will conduct Masonic Services at 7:30 PM Thursday. Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. Contributions can be made in his memory for books to Shady Lane Development Center, 256 County House Rd., Clarksboro, NJ 08020 or the General Fund of St. Paul’s United Methodist, P.O. Box 209, Paulsboro, NJ 08066. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com. The Family wishes to thank the staff at Shady Lane Nursing Home and Day Care for their loving care.

Allen McBride

January 5, 1936 - November 29, 2009