STUART \u2013 Although the chief operator of the city\u2019s water reclamation facility James \u201cJay\u201d J. Allen IV died suddenly Oct. 25 at age 51, the City Commission and staff paid tribute to him for his decade of service to the Utilities & Engineering Department during the Nov. 10 Board meeting, presenting his 10-year service award to his wife and children in a touching ceremony.<\/p>\n
The November service award ceremony began like any other, with awards to Bobby Kendell for 35 years of service with the Utilities & Engineering Department; to Fire-Rescue Department Lieutenant Donald Lesko for 30 years of service; and to Community Redevelopment Agency Director Pinel Gandhi-Savdas for 10 years of service. The celebratory tone, however, briefly lost its cheerful pitch as Mayor Campbell Rich struggled initially to find the right words for what he was about to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s just no way around it,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is very sad. In all my years, I\u2019ve never seen this happen in that we were going to provide recognition to a young man \u2013 young to me \u2013 for 10 years of service. Unfortunately, he passed away just very recently. I\u2019m thankful his family is here this evening to accept this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Rich then invited Utilities & Engineering Department Director Peter Kunen to the podium, the late employee\u2019s supervisor who had agreed to make some remarks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis afternoon, we take a moment to honor and remember James Allen, our chief plant operator at the City of Stuart\u2019s water reclamation facility,\u201d he began. \u201cJames passed away a little over two weeks ago, and his loss has been deeply felt across our entire organization. He was more than a colleague: He was a friend, a mentor and a steady and trusted leader within our Utilities & Engineering Department. For the past 10 years, James devoted himself to protecting one of our most vital resources, the water that sustains our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kunen proceeded to describe how Allen\u2019s \u201cknowledge, professionalism and quiet dedication\u201d helped elevate the City of Stuart\u2019s wastewater operations to a higher level.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe took great pride in his work and held himself and those around him to the highest standards of excellence,\u201d he continued. \u201cJames led by example. He was patient, thorough and always willing to lend a hand. His calm strength and humble spirit earned him the respect and admiration of everyone that knew and worked around him. James was also a devoted father, son and friend whose love and dedication to his family were the foundation of his life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allen\u2019s boss then turned his attention to his late employee\u2019s widow, calling her and each of their children out by name.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is survived by his loving wife Josephine Allen and their three children John Braeden, Jewelle Rian and Jianna Rose,\u201d Kunen concluded. \u201cHe spoke of them often, and his pride and love of his family were evident in everything he did. Though James is no longer with us, his legacy endures in the systems he improved, the coworkers he mentored and in the example he set for all of us. This afternoon it is my honor to recognize James Allen for his 10 years of dedicated service to the City of Stuart. We are deeply grateful that his wife Josephine is here with us today to accept this 10-year service award on his behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n
At that point, Josephine Allen and two of her children joined Kunen between the podium and the dais, where Mayor Rich was making his way down to present them a copy of the award. When they all turned to face the camera for a photograph, the City Hall Chambers burst into applause as Mayor Rich handed the certificate to John Braeden.<\/p>\n
Allen was a native of Hartford, Conn., who worked for Martin County as a wastewater plant operator before joining the City of Stuart in 2015.<\/p>\n
He is survived by his mother Gloria Allen, his father James John Allen III and his 106-year-old maternal grandmother Mary Pandolfe.<\/p>\n
Allen was a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, and his remains are interred at Rolling Oaks Cemetery and Cremation Garden.<\/p>\n