Dr. John Joseph Allen MD

John Joseph Allen, MD was born the son of Barbara Schnitzler and John Patrick Allen in Chicago, Il on August 14, 1926 and died on September 11, 2013. He attended St. Sabina Grade School and De LaSalle High School in Chicago. While under the watchful eyes of the Christian Brothers at De LaSalle, he started playing basketball with a marked ability in passing. He helped to guide De LaSalle to its first ever championship in the prestigious St. George Christmas Tournament. Jack graduated from De LaSalle in 1943 at the age of 16. He received several athletic scholarship offers and initially chose Notre Dame. After one semester at Notre Dame Jack transferred to DePaul University in Chicago taking a full science course and playing varsity basketball as a freshman. Jack's basketball passing ability was even more obvious at DePaul as Jack played point guard alongside George Mikan. In 1945 DePaul won the National Invitational Tournament marking the first time that a national championship had been captured for DePaul and Chicago. Jack remained close friends with Coach Ray Meyer and the Meyer family for years. For his basketball achievements Jack was inducted into the De LaSalle Hall of Fame in 1998 and inducted into the DePaul Univ Hall of Fame in 1979 and as a team in 1990. Foregoing his fourth year of eligibility and after most of Jack's team mates entered the professional basketball league, Jack entered medical school: Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University in Chicago. He completed his internship and residency at Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit and served active duty with the US Air Force from 1953 – 1955 at McConnel l Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. Jack practiced Internal Medicine in Winter Park, Florida from 1955 to 1999. He often said that he had the best practice in Winter Park. He was particularly good at listening to his patients. During this time Jack served as President of the Medical Staff at Florida Hospital, Orlando in 1961 and President of the Medical Staff of Winter Park Memorial Hospital in 1965. Don Welch who became administrator of Florida Hospital Orlando in 1961 credits Jack Allen with bringing “life-changing decisions to Florida Hospital by supporting efforts to strengthen the development of the medical staff: new bylaws requiring certification for surgeons, as well as strengthening the disciplinary process for those physicians who were providing sub-standard care and strengthening the credentialing process. Don Welch believed that improving the medical staff was the key to every good thing that happened. Jack was also medical director for the Winter Park Towers and Lutheran Haven Retirement Center. Jack enjoyed his retirement years. He traveled extensively with his wife, Judy, golfed at Interlachen Country Club, antiqued and spent time with grandchildren. Survivors: Wife of 32 years, Judy and her six children: Cynthia Barfield, Patricia Pizer, Andrea Goethals, Lt. Col Paul Goethals, James Goethals, Lisa Smith as well as eleven children from a previous marriage: Mary Pat Tricomi, John Allen, Jr., Josephine Nevill, James Edward Allen, Theresa Allen, Carol Hassler, William Pius Allen, Michelle Thomson, Susan Trawick, Anne Lucas and Barbara Mackey, sister Joan Manhattton, Chicago. There are 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchldren. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in c/o St. Margaret Mary Church for the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Arrangements are entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory, 9001 N. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. (407) 695-CARE(2273).

Dr. John Joseph Allen MD

August 14, 1926 - September 11, 2013