James Christopher Allen

James Christopher Allen passed away on Saturday, January 14th, following a brief unexpected illness. He was 37 years old.

James, who was known to his family as “Chris”, was born on January 2nd, 1986. He attended Torrington schools graduating from Torrington High School.

James was many things to many people and  was very generous, often to a fault. He loved the people in his life with a fierce passion that is all too rare. Above all of that, James was unreservedly his own person. He embraced life and set an amazing example of how to proudly show your true self to the world.

He chose the nickname “Sparkle”, which suited him perfectly. He certainly added sparkle to the lives he touched. In death he was able to continue adding that sparkle through organ donation and his family is grateful to know that part of him continues to grace the world.

The following remembrance was read prior his donation surgery:

“This is James Christopher “Sparkle” Allen. He was a dream come true. As a child he had the biggest heart in the skinniest body. He had so much love to give and was loved deeply. He is a son, brother, uncle, and beloved partner. He was fiercely unique. As his parents say, ‘We raised our children to believe they can save the world, he may actually do it.’ He came, he grew, he saw, he loved. Even as his sparkle fades from our presence we are grateful that part of it will still be in this world.”

James is survived by his parents, James and Marcia Lee (Wilcox) Allen, his sisters Kacie (Knudson) Marabel and Tiffany (Knudson) Medina, his nieces Samantha and Brianna Ledoux, and his great-nephew Jonathan Mulhern Jr. and his longtime partner Michael Archer,

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on a date to be determined in April at Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington, CT. An announcement of the service date will be published, shared on social media, and updated on this site. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to New England Donor Services in honor of James. Information on the organization and the services they provide can be found at www.neds.org. The family would also like to acknowledge and share our appreciation for the efforts of the Winsted Urgent Care and EMT staff, Life Star responders, and the ICU staff at Hartford Hospital.