Allen J. Berlin

Allen J. Berlin passed away on September 28th, 2024, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. He was 93 years old.

Allen was born on June 7th, 1931, in Newark, New Jersey. High school sweethearts, he and his future wife, Phyllis, met in 1946. They married in June of 1953, shortly after he graduated from Rutgers University. After serving our country for two years in the United States Army, Allen and Phyllis moved to Freehold, New Jersey where they raised their three children.

Allen dedicated his career to education. He taught at Freehold Regional High School for many years. He later obtained his Master's Degree and served as the principal of Marlboro High School starting in 1968. Throughout his career in education, he also served as football coach, tennis coach, and basketball referee. In 1979, Allen and Phyllis moved to Livingston, New Jersey where Allen was principal at Livingston High School until his retirement in 1986. He and Phyllis then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Never sitting still for long, he soon became bored with retirement and took a position at the University of New Mexico where he led the internship program for the Educational Leadership program for two years before finally retiring for a second time.

In his well-earned retirement, he and Phyllis enjoyed taking cruises and traveling until his wife of over 54 years passed away in 2008. Allen remained active, playing tennis with his friends into his 80s and going to the gym three days a week up until two weeks before his passing. He was a vital part of Congregation B'nai Israel's community life, serving as President in the 1990s and was a Shabbat regular. He was a loyal friend and family member, keeping in touch with his friends from as far back as elementary school and maintaining regular contact with aunts, uncles, cousins, and former students.

Allen was dedicated to his three children, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, often traveling around the country for graduations and celebrations. He never missed a birthday or anniversary. He loved his pets and those of family members, making sure to bring treats whenever he visited, even insisting on bringing treats for a family cat. Everyone's pets knew when Allen arrived at the house, waiting to greet him at the door for a treat. Allen was an avid Yankees fan and was known for his quick wit, biting sense of humor, and his incredible laugh. He and Phyllis were the glue that held the family together.

Allen was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis. He is survived by his son Larry Berlin and his wife Lori, his son David Berlin and his wife Barbara, and his daughter Beth Stewart and her husband Brian. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jenni Wilcox, her husband Chris, and their son Erik; Michelle Labrecque, her husband Matthew, and their children Benji and Flynn; Robert Berlin, his fiancée Lauren Eix, and her daughter Maisie; Matt Stewart, his wife Danielle Lachance, and their daughter Nora; and Dawn Thompson, her husband Jason, and their son Leo; and many beloved friends.

Funeral services were conducted at Congregation B'nai Israel on October 1st, 2024. Interment was at Fairview Memorial Park.