Rev. Allen M. Humes

The Reverend Allen M. Humes, 89, of Keene, NH, passed on to new adventures on October 4, 2023. Born and raised in West Hartford, CT, he was the son of E. Milton and Edith Humes. After graduating from Hall High School in West Hartford, Allen earned his B.A. degree from Earlham College in Richmond, IN, and his B.D. from Hartford Theological Seminary. While at Earlham, he met the love of his life, Rosalind Williams. They exchanged vows at the Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting on November 28, 1958, and Roz remained “a true blessing” for over 64 years. Allen was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1959 and thoroughly enjoyed a rich life of ministry to others. After ordination, he became Minister of Christian Education at the First Congregational Church of Glastonbury, CT. In 1962, he was called to the First Congregational Church in Deep River, CT, where he enjoyed a seventeen-year pastorate. His great influence on the Deep River congregation and community led to a proclamation of “Allen Humes Day” upon his departure in 1979. That year, he was called to the historic Kensington Congregational Church in Kensington, CT, where he was blessed with another seventeen-year pastorate and later was named their beloved Pastor Emeritus. Upon retirement, Allen and Roz moved to the post and beam home which they built in Winchester, NH. While there, Allen continued to serve as interim or guest pastor in several area churches throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. In 2019 they moved to Hillside (Covenant) Village in Keene, NH, while still enjoying the winter months in North Port, FL. Allen was always a champion for social justice and peace. In 1963, amid the civil rights movement, Allen participated in the famous March on Washington with the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While in Kensington, his advocacy for inclusion and equality was put into action by establishing sister-church relationships with the Pan de Vida congregation in Jayaque, El Salvador and the Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church in New Britain, CT. Allen loved the adventure of travel. Early on, he and Roz purchased a sixteen-foot travel trailer, and each year embarked on a month-long vacation to a different part of our country. In 1973, the family of five traveled in a VW bus, visiting thirteen countries throughout Europe as part of a five-month sabbatical. A highlight of Allen’s retirement was the cruises he took as a Protestant Minister with Holland America Cruise Lines, spanning more than thirty years. Allen and Roz traveled all over the world on voyages of ten to eighty days. This brought them to every continent at least twice. Perhaps his favorite spot was beautiful Antarctica. In his lifetime, he touched all fifty states, the last being Mississippi, where he participated in a work camp trip following Hurricane Katrina. His other joys in life included salt-water fishing, vegetable gardening, and playing cards (especially bridge). Music was an essential part of his life, appreciating genres from bluegrass to classical. Allen was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Boston Red Sox and UConn Women Huskies basketball teams. He felt fortunate to have attended ten Men’s and Women’s NCAA Final Four contests. Allen is survived by his loving wife Roz; their three children, Gary Humes and his wife Diana of Corning, NY; Brian Humes and his wife Cori of Kensington, CT; and Wendy (Humes) Mill and her husband Donald of Old Saybrook, CT. He also leaves four grandchildren, Kelly (Humes) Nanavati and her husband Ankit of Greensboro, NC; Steven Humes and his wife Colleen of Haddon Heights, NJ; Kathryn Mill and Andrew Mill of Montreal, Canada as well as great grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and generations of extended family who were all very dear to him. Allen was predeceased by his parents and only sibling, Shirley (Humes) Benton of Richmond, IN. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kensington Congregational Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023. A Service of Christian Committal will be held at the Deep River Congregational Church at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2023, which will precede his burial at the Deep River Congregational Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to memorialize Allen may send contributions to the Allen & Rosalind Humes Humanitarian Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, 74 Vine Street, New Britain, CT, 06052 or to the Kensington Congregational Church, 312 Percival Ave., Kensington CT, 06037. The Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain, CT is in charge of arrangements.

Rev. Allen M. Humes

July 17, 1934 - October 4, 2023

Explore

About Us

Grief & Healing

What We Do

Obituaries

Plan Ahead

Resources

Contact Info

Rev. Allen M. Humes

July 17, 1934 - October 4, 2023

365 Days of Grief Support

Explore

About Us

Grief & Healing

What We Do

Obituaries

Plan Ahead

Resources

Contact Info