Allen Raymond Helps Dedicate New Y

Posted on August 28, 2014 | 10 Comments

Allen Raymond did many remarkable things in his 91 years of life on earth. The lifelong Westporter was a philanthropist, tireless volunteer, devoted church member, political leader, and adviser to selectmen. He was also one of the Westport Family Y‘s longest-serving, proudest board members, and a major contributor to the new Mahackeno facility.

He died on May 1 — less than 4 months before tonight’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. But Allen was not only at Mahackeno in spirit — he was really, truly there.

Y officials showed a video of their beloved benefactor. Filmed at Allen’s home in February — when he knew his life was ebbing away — it shows him at his best. He’s smiling warmly, joking gently, speaking lovingly and gracefully.

The new Mahackeno Y will hopefully thrive as long as its downtown predecessor did: 90 years. Yet in the next 9 decades, it’s hard to imagine any moment that can top tonight’s amazing appearance — one last time — by Allen Raymond.

(Click here if your browser does not take you directly to YouTube. Filmed, edited and produced by Brian Russell of Red Shoe Film. Aerial footage by Rick Eason.)
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10 responses to “Allen Raymond Helps Dedicate New Y”

  1. Gary Singer | August 28, 2014 at 8:20 pm |

    Dan, is there a link to the film.

  2. Bonnie Scott Connolly | August 28, 2014 at 8:37 pm |

    I didn’t know Allen but I was in his daughter Debbie’s class. That video brought tears to my eyes.

  3. Holly Wheeler | August 28, 2014 at 8:52 pm |

    Thanks, Dan. Very touching. Too bad he didn’t live to take that first slide.

  4. Brian Strong | August 28, 2014 at 9:29 pm |

    We will not know a finer Gentleman than Allen Raymond

  5. Catherine Onyemelukwe | August 28, 2014 at 9:54 pm |

    Thanks for sharing that lovely video, Dan.

  6. cwdz | August 28, 2014 at 10:29 pm |

    How cool is that!?

    Thanks, Allen! – Chris Woods

  7. Gary Singer | August 28, 2014 at 11:01 pm |

    Found it. I’m not too swift.

  8. James Ezzes | August 29, 2014 at 8:44 am |

    Dan:
    Thank you the video. Allen was one of the true gentlemen of our town. He was a dedicated and caring man who sincerely did what he thought was best for the community.

  9. Barbara Sherburne '67 | August 29, 2014 at 11:11 pm |

    A very moving tribute. I did post a message to Debbie Raymond Eskra’s Facebook message thing, and provided the link, but I am not sure she saw it. I lived on Long Lots Road when she and her parents lived there, and I knew Mr. Raymond as the younger man in the video. I can to this day still visualize her mother, Barbara.