Ellsworth -- Allen Fitch, 64, one of Hancock County’s most profound joke and story tellers and official greeter of State Street, died on March 25, 2017. He was born in Bar Harbor, July 26, 1952, son of Merritt P. and Dorothy (Peterson) Fitch.

Allen grew up in Ellsworth and spent many summers at the family camp on Patten Pond. The family is certain that is where story telling evolved for Allen. He married the love of his life, Patty (Clark) in 1975. He had a lifelong dream of owning and operating his own business and in 1993 that dream became a reality. Known as The Bay Market in Surry until November 2002. Allen and Patty formed many lasting friendships with their customers and became dedicated supporters in the community of Surry. After the passing of his wife in February 2003, Allen kept himself busy by waiting on tables at China Hill in Ellsworth. Often times he could be heard throughout the restaurant singing. He acted and sang in plays at The Grand Theater and other community theater groups. Illness was a big black cloud for Allen, he faced many health issues and medical procedures for years. He never lost his sense of humor through any of it. He loved the finest grilled cheese sandwiches, the Ellsworth Pool Hall, Nutter Butter Bars, FOOD, a glass of milk with his meal, orange Bingo daubers, black pens, lobster, dark chocolate, donuts, Pepsi in the can, sappy love songs, FOOD, tacky shorts, plaid shirts (button down collar), The Golden Girls, penny loafers, FOOD, Bingo and singing; not necessarily in that order. He detested sushi, cold beans, straws and technology, not necessarily in that order. He was a self- proclaimed master singer who single-handedly built his diva image all over the greater Ellsworth area. Where there was an event or party happening, Allen was present. You could be assured that he would bring anything short of dull to life! Allen was also great at daily crossword puzzles, playing cards, shooting pool, people watching and having the best Halloween costumes. The things that truly made him happiest were his family and closest friends. Most Saturdays, he had lunch with his siblings and his mother until her passing in October; he had lunch with his siblings as recently as the day he passed. His nieces and nephews meant the world to him and he was always interested in their activities (and was known to them as Uncle Froggy, Uncle Al or The Stallion). He enjoyed and got great humor out of calling his niece Katie in Michigan. He always tried to beat his nephew Erik to see who would start wearing shorts first in the spring, and tried for years to get his niece Cristin to cut his toenails.

Allen leaves behind his only child and #1 fan, daughter Kimberly, partner Timothy Philbrook and his daughter, Lillian all of Lamoine who brought extra joy, love and laughter into his life; Tim’s son Evan Philbrook and wife Kristen and their son, Kai of Orland: sister, Warrene Carriere and husband Gerard of Lamoine; brothers, Terry Fitch and wife Debby of Hancock, Ernie Fitch and wife Janis (another one of Allen’s favorite people ) of Castine; sisters-in-law, Janet Stanley and Beverly Long both of Surry; nieces, nephews, spouses and children, Alison Cote and husband Scott (Seth, Hunter, Shelby), Cristin Anderson (Silas and Ashton), Kathryn Long, David Fitch, Jennifer Billings-Martinez, Ernie Fitch and wife Summer (Connor and Addison), Rebecca Stanley (Brock), Erik Fitch and wife Meghan (Phoebe), Katie Fitch and partner, Brian Earles (McKinley, Phineas, Lincoln), Lynne Fitch (Alexandra), Chris Fitch and Christy (Lilith) and Lucas Carriere. Special family friends, Thelma Beal of Ellsworth, Beth and Joe Philbrook of Lamoine; best friends and neighbors, Tom and Cheryl Murphy and their family of Ellsworth who have been so kind to Allen over the last few years, John Morse (Tags) and Roger Whitmore. He was predeceased by his wife, Patty; parents, Merritt and Dorothy; in-laws, Blanche and Kenneth Clark; brothers, Danny and Greg; sister-in-law, Joann; and nephew, Toby.

Friends, family, colleagues, classmates, students, team mates, cast-mates, doctors, nurses, neighbors and enemies, are invited to a celebration of life, Monday, April 3, 2017, 3:00-5:00 pm, for visiting followed by a 5:00 pm service and sharing of stories at The Elks Lodge, Ellsworth. Come and enjoy some of Allen’s favorite foods, music and share your stories. Please wear your favorite plaid shirt.

Those who wish may make donations in Allen’s memory to The Grand Theater-Non Profit Performing Arts Center, 165 Main St. Ellsworth 04605.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com