FARMINGTON – Ernest Allen Jr., 78, of East Dixfield Road, Jay, died Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Sandy River Center in Farmington. He was born April 21, 1939, in Norwalk, Conn., a loving son of Ernest and Edna (Harrington) Allen. On June 28, 1960, he married Rejeanne, the love of his life, in Pound Ridge, N.Y. They were married for 47 years, until her untimely passing in 2007.

Ernest was a veteran of the United States Army and served as the chief of police for the town of Rangeley for many years. He was also a business owner for most of his life, first owning a successful grocery store and delicatessen, Allen’s Delicatessen, in Norwalk, Conn. After selling that business, Ernest owned the Swiss Colony Cottages (formerly True’s Camps) in Rangeley. For many years, Ernest and Rejeanne hosted families while they were on vacation in the mountains of Western Maine.

Ernest enjoyed motorcycles, hunting and snowmobiling. More than anything else, he loved and adored his wife. The love that he always showed for her will never be forgotten by those in his life. He will always be remembered by family and friends as a man of great character and integrity and could always be counted on in a time of need. He will be missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by one brother, Robert Allen, of Bethel, Conn., and several in-laws including Linda Thibodeau, Jacqueline Labrie, Jean-Marc and Irene Thibodeau, Pauline Thibodeau, Napoleon Toulouse and many loving nieces and nephews.

Condolences and tributes may be shared with his family on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.