OBITUARY – HARVEY WALKER ALLEN
HARVEY WALKER ALLEN
February 14, 1938 — July 25, 2024
A Life Lived to the Fullest
Our industry has lost a true legend. Harvey Walker Allen, Chairman and past President of M.S. Walker, passed away peacefully at 86 years old on July 25th at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, surrounded by his family. Harvey was born on Valentine’s Day,1938, in Newton, Massachusetts, to the late Ruth and Leo Allen, sister Nancy Shaw (and late brother-in-law Robert). Harvey’s legacy continues through his wife, Paula (Levine) Allen and his seven children: Scott Allen and wife Susie (Saitow), parents of Phoebe and Sydney; Robyn Stavis, who was married to the late Norman Stavis and is the mother of Barrie Stavis, Rachel Stevens and husband Nick Stevens, and Joshua Stavis; Brett Allen and wife Vicki (Kafka), who have two children Dylan and Alexa; Brooke Allen; Ross Allen and wife Lior (Alon); Max Allen and fiancé Olivia (Lapides); and Max Levine.
Harvey was raised in Newton, MA, attending Middlesex High School and Colby College. After college, he almost signed a contract to pitch for the Boston Red Sox but stayed in school and then joined M.S. Walker. At the time, Leo Allen told his son that “he’d be better off in business than in baseball.” Harvey’s legacy continues as the fifth generation of his family leads M.S. Walker into its ninth decade. As Chairman and past President, Harvey profoundly influenced the business and life of M.S. Walker. Harvey was incredibly proud to witness the growth of the company and equally proud that the family carried on with the care and culture he embodied. Harvey was a leader and a source of joy and laughter. He was certainly the life of the party, and his humor, wit, and spirit brightened everyone’s days and created a unique atmosphere within the company. One must only remember his words at the company’s 90th celebration to know how much he loved the entire MSW family.
Harvey’s life stands as a monument to his unwavering commitment and loyalty to his family and friends. His memory will be cherished by his children, grandchildren, and legions of friends, who remember him as a pillar of strength and a source of endless love, wisdom, jokes, and stories. If you were a friend of Harvey’s, you were a friend for life. He was the longest-standing Pine Brook Country Club member, his home away from home, where he won the club championship at least once in four decades. He was a proud member of the 1965 golf team in the Maccabiah Games (The Jewish Olympics) in Israel, which marked the first time he traveled there.
Another pillar of Harvey’s life was his dedication to the many charitable organizations he cherished. He was a giver, and if you knew him, you were also a giver. He was deeply committed to the State of Israel for his entire lifetime and served as a long-time President of Israel Bonds and as a major supporter of the CJP, FIDF, and Duvdevan. Closer to home, he was a long-standing board member of the Hillside School in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Memorial Donations can be made to fund an ambulance for the civilians of the State of Israel by United Hazalah of Israel (Emergency Medical Service). Harvey’s campaign can be viewed at israelrescue.org/mymitzvah/harvey-walker-allen/, or also, please feel free to make a donation to Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston in his honor.
*We at Massachusetts Beverage Business extend our deepest sympathies to the Allen family
as well as the entire family at M.S. Walker. He will be truly missed.
