Clifford M. Allen

Clifford M. Allen, 62, of Albany, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday July 20th, 2024 after exceeding the odds of a long term chronic illness. Mickey took his last breath with his family at his side, as the song “Let It Be” by the Beatles came on the radio, with the brightest sun imaginable shining in.

To know Mick was to love him. If you were fortunate enough to meet him, he would inevitably change your life with some piece of his wild ride-or-die spirit. He fiercely spoke his mind with conviction, would find humor in any situation, and lived his life with pure resiliency. To say he lived life on the edge is a generous understatement. He had a profound love for music, was an avid drummer, and if he wasn’t rocking out he was racing out- with a Stewart’s coffee in hand while he watched NASCAR or as he zoomed around on his Harley. Most importantly, he was the world’s greatest Dad. His pride and love so immense, it’s still palpable.

A 1981 graduate of Shaker High School in Latham, Mick continued his education in welding before serving time as a boiler technician and fireman in the United States Navy. Some of his fondest memories are having sailed on the USS Tattnall to the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and through the Suez Canal. Mick continued his education at Hudson Valley Community College excelling with his welding expertise, skillset, and work ethic-eventually proving to be one of the nations greatest and most proficient Masters of Welding & Fabrication. He was a dedicated employee of Finke Equipment for over 20 years, designing and fixing some of the world’s largest buckets and machinery. With a passion for art and metal sculptures, he helped create and weld the infinity sphere sculpture outside of the Siek Campus Center at HVCC still stands today. In his later years he dedicated himself to the residents of the Albany ARC as a classroom aid and driver.

Born to the late Clifford E. Allen and Anna M. Thornton Crowley on January 17th, 1962, he is survived by his daughter Janica Lyons (Matt); beloved grandchildren Riley & Brodie Lyons; mother Dianne Allen; siblings Colleen Solazzo (Mark), Sharleen Brennan (Terry), Sandy Alescio (Frank), Billy Allen (Mary), Cindy Grovenger (Joe), Eddie Allen; Favorite uncle to Ian Grovenger (Kristin), Victoria Farrell (Paul), Ashley Cuoccio (Joe), Eric Farrell (Evelyn), Lauren Furco (Vito), Krystal Alescio, Brittany Alescio, McKenzie Grovenger (Jesse), Alyssa Rae Allen, little Ed Allen, Abby Allen; and great uncle to many littles. Lastly his most treasured companion, his dog Bentley.

Guests are welcome to come and share a story of Mick with family & friends at his Celebration of Life, Sunday September 22nd, 2024 at 12pm at John Boyd Thacher State Park, followed by a motorcycle procession to Elmwood Cemetery in Selkirk for burial. In lieu of flowers and Mick’s last ride, roses of all colors may be donated to the family the day of to decorate each bike. “Weeeee! Yup.”