Avon remembers "fiery soul" of late Luke Allen

The Avon community gathered in the hundreds on Wednesday night to honor Paul "Luke" Allen, a senior at Avon High School who died on April 13. Allen, 18, was remembered by friends who spoke at the candlelight vigil in his honor at Avon Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet Stadium as a kind, fearless and funny person. "Without trying, (Luke) could bring light to anything," senior TJ Curtis said. "Whether he knew you or not, that's just how Luke was. And he had his fiery soul. I've been hearing that for the last two weeks now, and that's the perfect way to describe him and that's how he was." Luke Allen died on April 13 after falling from the running board of a friend's car during a game of tag, Avon police said. He is survived by his parents, Paul and Jennifer Allen, and his three siblings, Hannah Allen, Courtney "Joey" Allen and William Allen. The vigil took place immediately after an Avon High School lacrosse game, which the Eagles handily won and was dedicated to Allen and his family. Paul Allen, Luke Allen's father, founded the Avon boys youth lacrosse program and was the high school's first coach. Luke was a member of the team. "Tonight we gather not only to mourn, but to honor the memory of Luke and to lend our support to those who are grieving and reaffirm that our commitment to stand together as a community in the face of adversity is strong," Superintendent Ben Hodge said. "We have some of Luke's closest friends and family to speak about his incredible life and the impact that he's made on others. May their memories be a source of comfort and inspiration for you." Memories were shared by seven of his friends, who outlined a life that was dedicated to joy, not just for Luke Allen but for those around him. "He was always so energetic and joyful to be caring to anyone and everyone he knew," Curtis said. "And Luke always lived his life to the fullest and had fun doing it. Sometimes breaking things along the way." Max LaBianca was a teammate on the lacrosse team. He spoke as a representative of the team that Luke and the Allen family loved. "Luke was so friendly, he fist-bumped a Wadsworth attackman last year after they scored on him, something that we always made sure to laugh at him for," LaBianca said. "He was also a very caring person. When I started playing lacrosse two years ago, Luke took time out of his winter practice so he could work with me on catching and throwing. It's not easy. I'll never forget how much he cared that I had a throwing partner in my first days." Several of those who spoke emphasized that Luke Allen would not want those in attendance to mourn his passing, but rather would want them to live as he did and learn from him. "One takeaway we could all learn from Luke is to be positive no matter what the circumstances," friend Shawn Schurch said. "I rarely ever saw Luke upset and he always found a reason to be happy." The Allen family and their closest friends and loved ones sat in front of the stadium bleachers, facing the podium that was placed at midfield. His parents periodically burst into laughter about the antics and fun of their son's short life. Family friend and neighbor Rodd Torbert spoke on behalf of the family. "Fearless, loving, loyal, the same words these young men used, I had written them down as well," Torbert said. "All described Luke. He would just take us all to school, I thought, on how to live life. … I know 18 years of a great young man, it's just never gonna be enough. But the best you can hope for is to have lived a worthy life — I think — with the time that you're given here. And I'm proud that this young man that I knew has meant so much to this community and these friends and these family members. (He) might be the best definition I've seen of a short life well lived." Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.