Allan Richard Larsen

Allan R. Larsen, 96, of Wakefield, MA passed away peacefully in his home on September 3, 2026 after a wonderful and fulfilling life. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Esther (Madsen) with whom he was married for 71 years, and their 4 children: Richard Larsen of Wakefield, MA, Janet Logan (husband Paul) of Cotuit, MA, Christine Hylan (husband Gary) of Reading, MA, and Ruthanne Brown of Weston, MA. Allan was also the proud grandfather of 9: Kristen and her husband Matt, Lauren and her husband Jared, Erik, Julia, Michael, Travis, Hannah, Daniel, and Garrett; and the great-grandfather of 4: Milo, Jackson, Adeline, and Hallie.

Born in Melrose, MA on December 15, 1929, Allan was the beloved son of the late Erving and Stella (Glass) Larsen of Revere. He was predeceased by a brother, Erving “Sonny” who died of pneumonia in 1933 at the age of seven.

Allan would occasionally talk about his early years and joke that the concern for his arrival into the world was the cause of the great depression of 1929, for that dark period began only months prior to his birth. On the other hand, he claims that he must have been a gift from heaven because his mother brought him home from the hospital on Christmas Day.

Allan attended Revere High School and graduated Valedictorian Class of 1947. He went on to attend MIT and received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. He enjoyed not only the education, but learning to sail on the Charles River, and the camaraderie of becoming a member of the MIT Glee Club.

During the summer of his junior year at MIT, Allan worked as a counselor at Camp Lutherwood in Webster, MA where he met a young lady named Esther Madsen from Providence, RI. She was in the process of transferring her studies to Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Dating became somewhat of a logistical challenge as all MIT graduates were required to participate in the ROTC program upon graduation. As the Korean War continued, Allan received his Bachelor of Science degree in one hand and his Commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in the other. He spent the next two years as Project Engineer developing propellers for new airplanes at Wright Air Development Center in Dayton, OH. Periodic visits to his mother’s family in Chicago, IL by Allan from Dayton, and by Esther from Rock Island allowed their relationship to continue. They were married on October 16, 1954 and settled into their home in Wakefield in 1956 to begin a beautiful life together.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1953, Allan worked at the Equipment Division of Raytheon for 8 years until his father died suddenly in 1961, leaving him a small printing machinery business (A.L. Larsen Company) which was started by his grandfather in 1919. Uncertain as to whether to close the business, Allan decided to keep it going and did so quite successfully for the next 58 years. 2019 marked the 100th Anniversary of the A.L. Larsen Company, so it was decided that it was an appropriate time to close the doors for good. This turned out to be a wise decision, as the closing was completed just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

Allan was an active member of the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church for many years, and he and Esther developed some of their closest friendships there. Allan’s passion was providing musical entertainment to his church family by organizing talent shows, barbershop quartets, and concerts. He served as Treasurer among other things, and was very proud of his fundraiser, creating and selling framed aerial photos of Wakefield.

Allan’s greatest pride and joy in life was his family. Some of the family’s fond memories include vacations at Sandy Island Camp in NH, Printing machinery trade shows, going to York Steak House, long family car rides while singing songs together, and mystery rides to Darby’s Dairy.

After retirement, Allan’s happiest moments were spent attending concerts, plays, recitals, sporting events, birthdays and graduations for his children and grandchildren. He looked forward every year to family parties on their lawn overlooking beautiful Lake Quannapowitt.

Allan enjoyed Saturday night bridge with church friends, golfing and breakfast with the guys, watching Lawrence Welk, and listening to Gilbert and Sullivan. Earl Nightingale was one of his biggest inspirations.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to his wonderful caregivers, Ronah, Rose, and Divine for their compassionate care, dedication and support over the past few months. “Thank you, thank you, thank you” .. “Ya done good”, as Allan would say.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Friends of Lake Quannapowitt” PO Box 517 Wakefield, MA 01880 or online at mail@folq.org

A Celebration of Life will take place in Allan’s honor at a later date this fall.