Allan Dudley Walker

Allan Dudley Walker

GOSHEN — Allan Dudley Walker, 91, of Allyn Road, died Friday morning, Jan. 31, 2025. Born Feb. 16, 1933, he was the son of Clifford R. and Irene M. (Wilson) Walker of Granby, Connecticut.

Allan was a 1951 graduate of Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, Connecticut earned a B.S. in geography at Dartmouth College in 1955, and a Doctorate degree in Education from The University of Connecticut. After serving 2 years in the Navy as 2nd Lieutenant, he settled in Woodstock in 1957, where he dedicated his life to educating young people by teaching for 3 years, and then as Headmaster at Woodstock Academy for 20 years (1960-1980). He was a long-time prominent figure in the leadership of the Connecticut Association of Schools starting in 1961 until his retirement. During this time, he was also active in the National Association of Secondary School Principals, serving as President from 1975-1976.

On Feb. 13, 1982, he and Joan Angelo were married and moved to Goshen, Connecticut, where they lovingly restored a 1780 Colonial and he continued his dedication to nurturing young minds as Principal of Litchfield High School (1980-88), and subsequently Superintendent of Schools for the region (1988-92). Allan was an active community leader throughout his life. He was a member and officer of the Freemason Society and served in both the Muddy Brook Fire Department and the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association as an officer and EMT. After he moved to Goshen, he served on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Junior Republic. He was also a member of the Goshen Board of Finance from 2002 to 2025, serving as Chairman the last 21 years.

Allan loved the outdoors. He was most at home as a gentleman farmer tending his herd of Hereford beef animals, whom he treated as pets. He also enjoyed the solace and adventure of being off the grid in the northern Maine woods (T15-R9), having vacationed there since the 1960’s and made many more visits there with his children and extended family. With his 2000 Porsche Boxster, he and Joan enjoyed events and tours as members of the CT Valley Region Porsche Club.

Allan is survived by his beloved wife Joan, his children, Patricia Walker of Newport, Vermont, Allan (Carrie) Walker, Jr. of Woodstock, Connecticut, Suzanne (Ronald) Szymanski of Naples, Florida, Mary (Paul) Gallerani of Woodstock, Connecticut, Melissa (Chris) Cornell of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, his stepdaughter, Cassandra Angelo (Holly) of Glastonbury, Connecticut, his first wife, Lois Swenson and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald N. Walker.

The family would like to share their gratitude for the care, kindness and dedication provided by his primary VNA caregiver, Robin Gallagher, Chris Seymour, Shantal Harvey, Goshen/Cornwall Senior Bus, Goshen Fire Company and Goshen Community Care.
There are no calling hours. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Junior Republic, 550 Goshen Road, Litchfield, CT 06759, The Goshen Good Neighbor Fund, Inc., PO Box 492, Goshen, CT 06756-0492, or the Woodstock Academy, 57 Academy Road, Woodstock, CT 06281.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kenny Funeral Homes, 41 Main Street, Sharon, CT.

Latest News

Fallen trees injure man, destroy fences at dog shelter

Two uprooted locust trees still lie in the yard in front of Animal Farm Foundation’s original kennels where they fell on a fence during a storm on Thursday, June 19.

Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Fallen trees, uprooted and splintered during a thunderstorm, injured a man, destroyed fences and damaged a dog kennel at the Animal Farm Foundation facilities in Bangall.

Isaias Nunez was cleaning along a road on the property with Marco Ortiz, another employee of the dog shelter, when the storm rolled in on the afternoon of Thursday, June 19.

Keep ReadingShow less
Siglio Press: Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature

Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.

Richard Kraft

Siglio Press is a small, independent publishing house based in Egremont, Massachusetts, known for producing “uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.” Founded and run by editor and publisher Lisa Pearson, Siglio has, since 2008, designed books that challenge conventions of both form and content.

A visit to Pearson’s airy studio suggests uncommon work, to be sure. Each of four very large tables were covered with what looked to be thousands of miniature squares of inkjet-printed, kaleidoscopically colored pieces of paper. Another table was covered with dozens of book/illustration-size, abstracted images of deer, made up of colored dots. For the enchanted and the mystified, Pearson kindly explained that these pieces were to be collaged together as artworks by the artist Richard Kraft (a frequent contributor to the Siglio Press and Pearson’s husband). The works would be accompanied by writings by two poets, Elizabeth Zuba and Monica Torre, in an as-yet-to-be-named book, inspired by a found copy of a worn French children’s book from the 1930s called “Robin de Bois” (Robin Hood).

Keep ReadingShow less
Cycling season: A roundup of our region’s rentals and where to ride them

Cyclists head south on the rail trail from Copake Falls.

Alec Linden

After a shaky start, summer has well and truly descended upon the Litchfield, Berkshire and Taconic hills, and there is no better way to get out and enjoy long-awaited good weather than on two wheels. Below, find a brief guide for those who feel the pull of the rail trail, but have yet to purchase their own ten-speed. Temporary rides are available in the tri-corner region, and their purveyors are eager to get residents of all ages, abilities and inclinations out into the open road (or bike path).

For those lucky enough to already possess their own bike, perhaps the routes described will inspire a new way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For more, visit millertonnews.com/tag/bike-route to check out two ride-guides from local cyclists that will appeal to enthusiasts of many levels looking for a varied trip through the region’s stunning summer scenery.

Keep ReadingShow less