WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  John T. Allen died on September 2, 2026 at his home in Williamstown, MA. He was born on December 22, 1938 in North Adams, MA to the late Robert S. Allen and Irma Campedelli Allen. After growing up in a neighborhood of Italian immigrants, he graduated from Drury High School and was the first in his family to attend college, receiving his undergraduate degree from The College of Holy Cross where he played football and baseball.

For many whose lives he touched, he was – and will always be – lovingly referred to simply as “Coach.” John coached football at Mt. Greylock Regional High School from 1964 to 2003. His teams earned nine championships including a 41-game winning streak. In 1999 and 2000, Mt. Greylock won back-to-back Division IIA Super Bowls. In 1996, he was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

He would, most assuredly, not have included those achievements in an obituary he wrote himself. John was a modest and humble man who measured success not in wins and losses but in what he could instill in his players: self-sacrifice, teamwork, a strong work ethic, perseverance, sportsmanship, and the determination to reach beyond what they thought themselves capable of achieving. He taught those lessons not only in words but by example. His familiar advice to a scuffed-up player to “rub some dirt on it and get back in there” was about far more than football. It was a philosophy of resilience that served his players long after their final season—and one that John himself embodied as he faced the challenges of his own final years.

John loved his job still wanting to “go to school” long after his retirement. He loved competition, in the best sense of the word, whether it be on the playing field, on the golf course or at the card table. He was known for his physical prowess, his engaging smile, his many, many, many quotes and sayings, and his good humor. He deeply cherished his family and the friendships he made over a lifetime. And his goodness will live on through all those who were privileged to be a part of his life.

John is survived by Jane, his wife of 65 years, his daughters Tracy Allen, Terry Allen Estes (Jeff Estes) and Mimi Allen Dawson (Justin Clarke), and his grandchildren Brooke Estes, Alex Estes, Simon Estes and Case Estes, and two nephews, James Barbuto and John Barbuto. He is predeceased by his sister, Zelda Allen Barbuto and her husband, Russell Barbuto.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, October 13 from 3:00-7:00 pm at Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Home, West Chapel, 521 West Main Street, North Adams. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, October 14 at 11:00 am at Saints Patrick and Raphael Parish, Southworth Street, Williamstown. (A half hour before the Mass, John’s former players are invited to form an honor guard outside the Church.) The Mass will be followed by a reception at 12:00 pm at Taconic Golf Club, 19 Meacham Street, Williamstown. Burial will be on Thursday, October 15 at 11:00 am at Eastlawn Cemetery, Main Street, Williamstown. Funeral Mass will be live streamed on the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Homes Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/flynndagnoli/.

Contributions in John’s memory may be made to the Phelps Cancer Center, to the Faith Formation Program at Saints Patrick and Raphael Parish or to the John Allen Fund at Berkshire Community Foundation which was established to support programs and opportunities for Mt. Greylock students. To add to the book of memories please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com