NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Allen Ernest Murdock, 69, of North Adams passed away on Monday, May 7, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, at North Adams Commons after living with a lifelong challenge with addiction. 

Allen was born on September 21, 1948, in Colrain, Mass., to the late Harold and Barbara (Wheeler) Murdock and was the youngest of their six children. Allen grew up in Readsboro, Vt., and attended Readsboro Central School. He graduated from Drury High School in North Adams in 1966 and earned a B.A. degree in education from North Adams State College, now known as the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Allen taught for several years at the Monroe Bridge School. He relocated to Westfield, Mass., and was employed at the Foster House Restaurant. He returned to Searsburg, where he was employed by Sawyer Bentwood, and then to North Adams, where most recently he worked at Cascade School Supply. 

Allen was involved in several civic organizations, including the Readsboro Lions Club, where he served as president and was instrumental in starting an annual holiday gathering for seniors. Allen loved the Red Sox and enjoyed golfing and a good game of cribbage. 

Allen is survived by a special son, Peter White of Stevens, Penn.; his three sisters, Rosemarie Hodgdon of Westfield, Mass., Alzada Sawyer and her husband Houghton (Pete) Sawyer of Whitingham, Vt., and Brenda Holland of Bennington, Vt.; and his brother Marlin of Houston, Texas. 

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

Allen's family would like to thank the staff at North Adams Commons for the care he received and for their appreciation of his sense of humor.  

Funeral notice: A memorial service will be held Monday, May 14, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of North Adams, preceded by visitation with his family at the church at a.m. Burial will follow in the family plot in Village Cemetery, Readsboro, Vt. 

Gifts in Allen’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of North Adams through the Flynn and Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, 74 Marshall Street, North Adams, MA 01247.