Mourning the death of Allen T. Mitchell, respected civic leader and dedicated public servant

Senate Resolution No. 2247

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

        MOURNING the death of Allen T. Mitchell, respected
        civic leader and dedicated public servant

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
individuals   of   remarkable   character  whose  purposeful  lives  and
distinguished service to their communities and the  State  of  New  York
merit the highest commendation; and

  WHEREAS,  Allen T. Michell, a beloved lifelong resident of Brewster,
New York,  whose  extraordinary  commitment  to  public  service,  youth
mentorship,  faith,  and  community  left  an enduring legacy throughout
Putnam County and beyond, died on Monday, February 2, 2026, at  the  age
of 94; and

  WHEREAS,  Allen  T.  Michell  was  born  on  November  11,  1931, in
Brewster, New York, the son of the late Joseph Jr. and  Adeline  (Owens)
Michell; he graduated from Garden Street School in 1949; and

  WHEREAS,  Shortly  after  graduation, on a blind date, Allen met the
love of his life, Helen Rapp; the couple were united in marriage on June
29, 1957, and together shared a devoted and loving union for  68  years;
and

  WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Brewster, Allen T. Michell dedicated
himself  wholeheartedly  to  the  betterment  of  his  community through
decades  of   civic   involvement,   volunteerism,   and   compassionate
leadership; and

  WHEREAS,  Allen  T.  Michell was a proud life member of the Brewster
Fire Department, serving his community faithfully for 73  years;  during
his  years  of active service, he served as dispatcher and as Captain of
the Brewster Fire Department Rescue Squad, earning  the  admiration  and
respect of fellow firefighters throughout Putnam County; and

  WHEREAS,  At  his funeral service held at the First United Methodist
Church in Brewster and his  interment  at  Milltown  Rural  Cemetery  in
Southeast,  dozens of firefighters from across Putnam County gathered to
honor his memory and recognize his exceptional lifetime of service; and

  WHEREAS, Allen T. Michell also devoted more than  50  years  to  the
Brewster  Little  League as an umpire, coach, manager, and member of the
Board of Directors; his tireless dedication  included  raking  countless
infields and treating his teams to chocolate chip cookies and soda after
every game, acts of kindness fondly remembered by generations of players
and families; and

  WHEREAS,  In  recognition  of  his  decades  of  dedication to youth
athletics  and  mentorship,  the  community  proudly  designated  "Allen
Michell  Day"  in  honor  of his 40th year of service to Brewster Little
League; and

  WHEREAS, Allen T. Michell further served his community  as  a  board
member  and  president  of  Milltown  Rural  Cemetery,  contributing his

leadership and stewardship to preserving the dignity and heritage of the
community he cherished so deeply; and

  WHEREAS,  A devoted man of faith, Allen T. Michell was a life member
of the First  United  Methodist  Church  in  Brewster,  where  he  began
attending  Sunday  School  at  the  age  of  three  and went on to serve
faithfully as a Sunday School  teacher,  trustee,  administrative  board
member, head usher, and youth group leader; and

  WHEREAS,  Allen  T.  Michell  was an enthusiastic supporter of local
athletics and professional sports alike, faithfully cheering for the New
York Yankees, New York Giants, and the University of Connecticut women's
basketball team, while also enthusiastically supporting Brewster  girls'
lacrosse, field hockey, softball, and varsity football, for which he was
honored as honorary captain; and

  WHEREAS,   Allen  T.  Michell's  life  was  defined  by  generosity,
humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to others;  he  inspired
countless young people through his guidance, encouragement, and example,
and  his  influence  will  continue  to resonate throughout the Brewster
community for generations to come; and

  WHEREAS, In addition to his beloved wife, Helen, Allen T. Michell is
survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as his devoted neighbors
and adopted family, Ally and Joe Mazzella and  their  children,  Lillian
and Madison; and

  WHEREAS,  Armed  with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Allen T. Mitchell leaves behind a  legacy  which  will  long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he will
be  deeply  missed  and  truly  merits  the  grateful  tribute  of  this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the  death  of  Allen  T. Michell, longtime Brewster resident and
cherished community leader, and to express its  deepest  condolences  to
his  family,  friends,  and  all those whose lives he touched; and be it
further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Allen T. Michell.