GROTON — Omar Allvord, a GOSA director with a distinguished environmental record, died April 20, 2009 in Groton at the age of 86.
Mr. Allvord, who was a former GOSA treasurer as well as a current member of the board, was active in the drive to create the Bluff Point Coastal Reserve in 1974. He served as co-chairman of the Bluff Point Advisory Council. He also took part in GOSA’s 32-year campaign that culminated in addition of 57 acres to the Haley Farm State Park in 2002.
The efforts at Bluff Point and Haley Farm both made highly significant contributions to the quality of life of residents of Groton and beyond.
A WWII Navy veteran who saw duty on aircraft carriers in the North Atlantic, Mr. Allvord worked after the war at Electric Boat. Following his retirement in 1985, he and his son operated NEID Printing in Groton.
He was a former member of the Groton Town Council, the Groton Representative Town Meeting and the Groton Beach and Park Commission. In May 2006, he won the Patriot Award from the Friends of Fort Griswold, an organization of which he was a charter member and former president.
Mr. Allvord is survived by his son, Glen F. Allvord of Groton. Mr. Allvord’s wife, Marjorie, had died in 2000.
Mr. Allvord’s picture appears in the GOSA website’s Four Pioneers section.
A Mass of Christian Burial is to be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 24, at Sacred Heart Church in Groton. Donations in his memory may be made to Fairview/Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton, where Mr. Allvord died.