AUBURN — Allen Robert Crooker Sr., 87, of Mechanic Falls died on Thursday, Jan. 13.

Allen was born in Norway, Oct. 3, 1923, the son of George and Helen (Holt) Crooker. He graduated from Norway High School in 1941. He attended the University of Maine at Orono, until he enlisted in the Army on Feb. 9, 1943. Allen was discharged as a pilot with the rank of second lieutenant from the Army Air Corp.

He married Thersa Mary Durgin on Nov. 3, 1945. They bought and operated a farm at Streaked Mountain for more than 20 years. He moved to Mechanic Falls in the late 60s, where he kept a large vegetable garden. Allen worked as a clerk at Swan’s Supply in Norway and as a carpenter at Oxford Homes.

Allen enjoyed building and refinishing wooden furniture for his home and working on small engines. He always enjoyed gardening and having his grandchildren work beside him. He discussed family history regularly with his grandson and was a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier, Joshua Crooker of Minot.

He is survived by his three children, Allen Crooker Jr. and his wife, Geraldine, of Norwich, N.Y., Deborah Smith and her partner, David Hollingsworth, of Belgrade Lakes and Stephen Crooker and his wife, Mary, of Poland; his sister, Beth Foster of Tucson, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Carrie (Smith) Flagg and her husband, Doug, of Berwick, Shaun Smith and his wife, Christine, of South Berwick, Angie Crooker-Seeley of Eustis, Fla., and Amy Crooker of Lewiston; eight great-grandchildren, Mallory Smith, Connor Smith, Cayley Smith and Macey Smith of South Berwick and Ryan Flagg, Mallory Flagg, Alyssa Flagg and Evan Flagg of Berwick.

He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Thersa in November 2004; and his brother, Clifford Crooker in November 2008.