Wayne Uccellini — the longtime owner and chef of the legendary Allen’s Clam & Lobster House — died last month, at 80. (Click here, then scroll down, for his obituary.)
Dave Stalling is one of many Westporters who worked at Allen’s. The Staples High School graduate now lives in Montana. But he has fond memories of his years at the restaurant. Dave writes:
It’s difficult to imagine that anyone who went to Staples High School in the 1970s didn’t, at one time or another, work for Wayne Uccellini at Allen’s Clam & Lobster House.
Wayne and his family owned Allen’s, a once beloved Westport landmark built in 1890 by Captain Walter Allen. When I was growing up, it was a wonderful restaurant and a central part of the town’s character. (The restaurant closed in the late 1990s, was demolished in 2004, and the site is now the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve.)
Exterior and interior views of Allen’s Clam House. Today, it’s the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve.
When I attended Staples High School (Class of 1979), it seemed like almost everyone I knew worked there — washing dishes, bussing tables, prepping food or cooking.
Wayne ran the kitchen. I can still picture him clearly: dressed in his white chef’s uniform, black mustache, always smiling, efficiently moving through the kitchen. He seemed constantly busy, yet never too busy to stop and say hello or, more likely, continuing to work while visiting.
Wayne Uccellini (left) and his brother Ron in Allen’s kitchen, 1978.
We became friends. He took me fishing and grouse hunting. When I was strapped for cash, he paid me to do yard work at his home.
Later, when I came home on leave from the Marine Corps, Wayne was always genuinely happy to see me. He’d invite me into the kitchen, always cooking something up, and say, “Hey Dave, try this.” It might be a bit of scampi, some lobster or a bowl of clam chowder to bring home. He always asked how my mom and dad were doing.
Wayne was kind, generous and compassionate, always eager to help anyone in need.
The Uccellini family.
A lifelong resident of Westport, Wayne was a graduate of Staples High School, Class of 1964, and proudly served in the US Army. He and his wonderful wife Karen raised their 3 children in Westport.
I will always remember Wayne as a cherished friend and mentor — someone who gave countless high school students their very first jobs, and left a lasting, positive influence on the town of Westport.
Wayne Uccellini
What a lovely tribute – I miss Allen’s ❤️
The first of several Compo neighbors scams. RIP.
Yes, definitely a great tribute. However, I only ate one time at Allen’s because I was more a Clam Box fan.1964 class from Staples had a lot of great graduates.
I remember Allen’s well and fondly. My parents came to NYC often on business and they always took a day off to visit me and my family. They loved good seafood, and Allen’s was the one restaurant in town they never wanted to miss.
A mentor to me and many.
I was at Diane Farrell’s Brown Bag luncheon a day after the Town took it over. I asked her if the Town was going to lease it or take it over. She exclaimed “Oh no it has to be demolished due to failing inspection.” I said “ Diane Allen’s was a functioning restaurant 2 days ago.
She didn’t care about that or much else.
Responding to Dave Stalling…Dave much thanks from the multitudes of Westport kids who passed through the two back doors and clocked in. At 16 it was more of a hang out with friends than actual work. We parked cars, cleared tables, swept floors, dropped fry’s and clams in the fryer, stacked burning hot dishes out of the dishwasher, prepped food, and ate Burt’s Pasta fagioli a pizza burgers. Much time after I had worked for Wayne, I did return several times for the crunching handshake when I had stopped by. Always a big smile and warm conversation for returning staff.
I remember clearly when I learned with much anger, it was not only closed but scrapped off the earth. RIP Wayne
Thank you for posting this, Dan. And (I forgot to mention) a big thanks to Ray Flanigan, a long time server at Alan’s and a close friend of the Uccellini family, for providing the photos.