William J. Allingham, a longtime resident of Holmdel, passed away peacefully at his home in Seabrook in Tinton Falls Sept. 29, 2023.
Bill was born in October 1932 and was raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. He attended Regis High School in Manhattan and then St. Peter’s College. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army for active duty. He graduated from Columbia Law School in 1959. Bill attended each institution on full academic scholarships and graduated magna cum laude from all.
He proudly and honorably served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve for 25 years, ultimately achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Professionally, Bill was an attorney for the law firm Sage, Gray, Todd and Sims. He joined the firm in 1959, became a partner in 1968, and eventually managing partner in 1980. He spent the majority of his career at Sage Gray and helped build it into one of the most prestigious law firms in Manhattan.
A dedicated family man, Bill married the love of his life Pat in August 1954 and they began a 69-year love affair. The early years in the Army included stops in Alabama and Maryland, and then a few years in the Parkchester section of the Bronx. In 1963 they moved to the Strathmore section of Matawan and raised their growing family there until 1972, when they moved to Holmdel where they lived for 48 years.
Bill was a man of high moral values and integrity. He dedicated his life to giving back to his community, especially to the schools and institutions that were so much a fabric of his being. He was president of the Regis Alumni Association and a member of their Development Council. There he led many fundraising drives and raised tens of millions of dollars for capital improvements, new buildings and endowments.
At St. Peter’s University, he was president of the board of trustees, a member of the board of regents and a tireless advocate for the school. He was integral in helping the school and its students access employment opportunities in Manhattan.
His many other titles over the years included treasurer and trustee at St. Catherine’s Church and St. Benedict’s School and Parish, trustee at Bayshore Hospital and president of the PTA at St. John Vianney High School. He was also president of the Strathmore swim club.
His many passions included fine wine, travel and Wild Turkey 101. Bill and Pat traveled all over the globe with the Windows on the World Club at the World Trade Center, visiting six of the seven continents while consuming copious amounts of the best food and wine. Our family is convinced that the word “foodie” was coined by someone observing our father during a meal.
Bill was a passionate L.A. Dodgers fan, watching his final game just days before his passing. He grew up going to many games at his beloved Ebbets Field and stuck with the Dodgers as a loyal fan his entire life.
Another one of his passions was horseracing, both trotters and thoroughbreds. Bill was not only a fan but he owned many horses over the years, including Amazing Fella, Participate and Risk Taker. He loved to go to Monmouth Park on the weekends with his pals from the “Pocono Dopes” crew or the Meadowlands after a hard day’s work to meet his sons and watch his trotters run. Nothing made him happier than being in the winners’ circle with family and friends.
Bill lived his life to the fullest, he was the ultimate connector and mentor to so many of his colleagues, family and friends through both his professional and personal life. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone – it just wasn’t his style. He was generous with his time, money and spirit and could always be counted on whenever called upon, whether it was family, friends, clergy, administrators or bartenders.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife Pat and four of his five children: Kathy Clark (Rick), Peg Ciccarelli (Sam), Bill Allingham Jr. (Andrea) and JJ Allingham (Tara). His son Chris Allingham (Donna) perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His 14 grandchildren who adored him are Jimmy, Chris, Meagan, Erin, Colleen, Steve, Rick, Billy, Lauren, Mikey (deceased), Chris, Kyle, Sean and Mary Kate. His 14 great-grandchildren include Nevan, Reilly, Kenzie, Lily, Annie, Chris, Frank, Carolyn, Georgie, Henry, Marley, Jamie, Scarlett and, the last being born in August, William J. Allingham IV, a fitting legacy.
The family would like to thank all of the caregivers who assisted Bill the last few months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org in memory of Chris Allingham.
Visitation was held at Holmdel Funeral Home Oct. 2; a Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Catharine’s Church in Holmdel Oct. 3. Interment followed.
This article originally appeared in the October 5 – 11, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
