John J. Allison, Jr.

John J. Allison, Jr died on October 26, 2026, but his spirit continues through the two things he valued most highly: his cherished family started with his beloved friend and wife, Judith Ann (Heisler) Allison, of 63 years and the Capitol Region Education Council which he founded.

Born in Manchester, CT to John J. Allison and Alice M. (Wehr) Allison in 1935, John attended St. James Grammar School and Manchester High School and earned degrees from Wesleyan and Harvard Universities. John and Judy lived in Wethersfield, CT, where he taught Chemistry at the high school, and West Hartford until 1964 when they moved to Cambridge, MA for graduate school. They returned to West Hartford in 1966 where they lived for 39 years before relocating to Bloomfield, CT. In 2021 he moved to Stuarts Draft, VA to be closer to his ever-growing family and became an active resident of the Stuarts Draft Retirement and Christian Homes community until his passing.

John and Judy were blessed with two children: Beth M. Allison of Fishersville, VA and John Allison III and his wife Joanne of Waynesboro, VA. His four grandchildren: John Allison IV and his wife Hannah, Sean Allison and his wife Kristen, Paige (Allison) McManaway and husband Jeremy and Gwynn (Allison) Stowers and husband Ryan. The greats: John (Jack) Allison V, Emory Rhoney, Zaden Nobles, Quinn Nobles, Arlo Allison, Hudson Harvill, Trey Stowers, Magnolia Stowers and Wyatt Stowers.

In 1966 John became the first Executive Director of the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), an organization which provides services to the public school system of greater Hartford and to foster and support voluntary cooperation among them to enhance the quality of public education and to increase the interaction of students in the region. During his 32-year leadership tenure many programs and services were initiated for the severely special needs and gifted children and the creation of the first magnet schools in the region.

After his retirement in 1998, John provided voluntary management consulting services to numerous non-profit regional organizations and local public agencies. He and Judy took many memorable trips with friends to Europe and Alaska. As a lifelong New Englander he was an avid Lady Huskies, Patriots and Red Sox fan.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 1870 Stuarts Draft Highway, Stuarts Draft. Following the service, the family will receive friends at the funeral home until 5:00 p.m.

John and his family suggest that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the CREC foundation, 111 Charter Oak Ave, Hartford, CT, 06106 or to the organization of the donor’s choice.