James “Jim” S Allan

James "Jim" S Allan
07/24/1928 - 01/11/2018

James S. Allan, “Jim”, 89, of Chatham passed away on January 11, 2018. A Memorial service will be held at Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Chatham on Saturday, January 20th at 3pm. Visiting hours are from 1 to 3pm prior to the service. For full obituary or to send a condolence, please visit www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com.

Born in Detroit, MI, the son of James and Helen (Garner) Allan, Jim was raised in Dearborn. He had also lived in Indiana, Ohio and Missouri before moving to Chatham in 1969. He proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War in the Infantry Division (Thunderbird Division).

In his younger years, Jim had two paper routes until he started to work at his Dad’s Nash Dealership in Detroit. At a young age he was driving out in the tow truck on service calls. More than one customer called the dealership to complain about the tow truck driver’s young age. By the time the customer returned to the vehicle, Jim had the problem fixed and the car running. Jim worked at the Allan Nash Dealership 1942-1949 and from 1952-1956, working in all areas of the dealership, including General Manager for the last few years.

He started Jim’s Collision Shop in 1949 with one employee. When Jim sold the shop in 1950 it was a profitable business with 6 employees.

From 1956 to 1966 Jim worked for Emmco Insurance Company at locations in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. He held positions as Claims Manager, Appraiser, Regional Representative, and Finance Sales Representative.

In 1966 Jim moved to Chubb Insurance in St. Louis, Missouri. He held various positions as Multi-Line Claims Adjuster and Auto Appraiser. Jim was transferred to Chubb Insurance in Short Hills, New Jersey in 1969 to work with the National Auto Material Damage Supervisor. In his new role he was involved in supervision and training of appraisers and adjusters. He was promoted to National Auto Material Damage Supervisor in 1977. Jim also ran Chubb’s in-house training for Auto Adjusters. His extensive experience in directing, organizing, educating, and analyzing allowed for economical claims adjustment with effective customer and agency good will. Jim retired from Chubb in 1985.

Finding himself with time on his hands after retirement, Jim worked for the Internal Revenue Service in Newark New Jersey from 1985 to 1993.

Jim was very proud of his time as an adult leader for the Boy Scouts in Missouri and in New Jersey. His first job was Hike Master for the troop in St Louis, where he made arrangements for the troop’s monthly hike outings. In Missouri Jim also served as part of the adult leadership for the pack and the troop. In 1968 he began three years of service on the Neighborhood Commission. When Jim’s job took him to New Jersey, word went out ahead of him. As the moving van pulled up to the house in Chatham, the Boy Scouts were knocking on the door of the house. Jim worked with the Neighborhood Commission from 1969 to 1972. He volunteered with the District Commission starting in 1972 and served as District Commissioner from 1974 to 1976. Jim earned his Wood Badge in St Louis Missouri. In addition to his work with the Boy Scouts, Jim volunteered with the Girl Scouts and assisted with fund raising for both groups.

Jim’s hobbies included old cars, gardening, woodworking and furniture restoration, garage sales, and kites, especially fighter kites. Jim was an avid hiker and especially enjoyed walking with his grandchildren in the Great Swamp and in Shepard Kollock Park. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the PTA (President Two Years, Treasurer One Year), the American Kite Flyers Association, and South Jersey Kite Flyers.

Jim was the beloved husband of the late Bernice. He was the loving father of Carol Allan, Doug Allan, Joyce Foster and her husband Mike, and Judy Granitzki and her husband Dave. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Dave Allan, Dana Morrow and her husband Dan, Diana Allan, Kelsie Granitzki, and Alison Johnstone and her partner Mike Grim and great grandchildren Jack Morrow (soon to be joined by a baby brother) and Liam Allan McManus. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to either the Chatham Emergency Squad or the Chatham Fire Department Mutual Benefit Association.


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