Allen Martin Jr.

Allen Bernard Martin, Jr., age 84, of Ventnor, NJ, died on February 6, 2021 in Atlantic City, NJ. Born in Malden, Massachusetts to Allen Martin, Sr. and Marion Brown, Allen loved acting and first appeared on stage at the age of seven in the 1943 Broadway production of The Patriots at City Center. On Broadway, he also appeared in the 1947 production of Galileo at Maxine Elliot's Theater, 1947 production of A Young Man's Fancy at the Cort Theatre, 1948 production of The Happy Journey at the Cort Theatre, the 1949 production of I Know My Love at the Shubert Theater, and the 1950 production of The Happy Time at the Plymouth Theater. From Broadway, Allen went to Hollywood and appeared in two films. He starred as Johnny Holiday, in the 1949 United Artist film of the same name, opposite William Bendix. His second, and last film, was the 1951 Columbia production of Her First Romance, where he starred alongside Margaret O'Brien. In that film, Allen gave Miss O'Brien her first screen kiss. At Princeton University, Allen earned his BA in European Civilization, followed by his MA in French Studies from the University of Alabama. After teaching for many years overseas and at both the University of Alabama and Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, he moved to Colorado where he managed the writing of manuals for computer business programs, utilities and Dungeons & Dragons games. Working as a social worker later in life at Atlantic County's Department of Family and Community Development, he advocated passionately for all of his clients and often acted as a translator for them, drawing on the many languages he knew. Allen was an avid reader, and he loved walking on the boardwalk in Ventnor, New Jersey. He was also an active member of the Church of the Epiphany, whether singing in the choir or giving the readings. A compassionate, witty soul, he had a warm smile and listened wholeheartedly to anyone who sat down with him, no matter the circumstances. He could always be counted on for a light joke or upbeat song to lift up the mood of a room. Allen is survived by his two daughters Holly Doyle (Tim) and Brigit Capaldi (David); his son Oliver Martin (Shouraseni); his niece Elizabeth MacWilliam; and his five grandchildren Lily, Willow, Coco, Luna and Gavin. He is predeceased by his loving wife and best friend, Simone Martin, and by his older brother William Martin.