Allen Patrick Carney, of Boston and Aquinnah, died Oct. 6 at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, from the effects of a traumatic brain injury. He was 76.
Allen was born in Elmira, N.Y. on June 9, 1950 to Matthew F. Carney, Jr. and Margaret Underhill Doherty. The second of five children, Allen was raised in Corning, N.Y. and spent idyllic summers at the family retreat on Keuka Lake, where his fondness for grilling and playing cribbage first developed.
He attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., graduating with the class of 1968. An active and devoted alumnus, Allen cherished his time at Exeter, where he established meaningful, life-long friendships. Allen went on to study at Yale University, where he forged enduring friendships among the Class of ’72, earned a BA in French and met his future wife, Marjorie Marks.
After starting his career at the Boston Globe, Allen held several senior-level global marketing positions in technology companies including NMS Communications, Lotus Development Corporation and 170 Systems. He later worked with emerging companies as Principal of his consulting firm, Phase 7 Marketing. He had a generous leadership style and he mentored and championed his colleagues, supporting them toward their goals and successes. He maintained lifelong friendships with many people who worked on his teams.
In the late 1980s, a global marketing position brought the opportunity to live in Paris where Allen immersed his family in French culture and made lasting friendships. His fluency in French was notable, particularly his flawless accent. Paris became a place Allen dearly loved and he regularly returned there throughout his life.
After being introduced by a dear friend in 2000, Allen married Maura FitzGerald on Martha’s Vineyard in 2006. Together they built a fun and meaningful life; raising a blended family, enjoying friendships and savoring adventures that took them all over the world and frequently to favorite places including Paris, London, Italy and St. Barth’s.
Allen held a broad appreciation for music with a deep knowledge of many artists and a particular fondness for the music of Bob Dylan. Progressive and Democratic politics were always central to his identity, dating back to his college days and remaining a constant throughout his life. Behind his bright blue eyes, his wit and wry good humor, there was a true gentleman: a genuine, kind and steadfast person who loved his family and relationships with a wide circle of friends from all over the world.
Allen adored his dogs, spending early years with Maura walking their dogs Luke and Henry and later with their troupe of French bulldogs Milou, Jackie, Herve and Gilou. He loved cooking and savoring good wine, and was well known for creating delicious and inspired cocktails. Boston held a special place in his heart. It was where he lived after college and again later in life, and where he became a devoted Red Sox fan.
Much of Allen’s post-retirement life was spent in service to nonprofits. He devoted himself to Board positions that helped grow and sustain organizations whose missions he believed in deeply including Island Grown Initiative, Common Impact and Martha’s Vineyard Adult & Community Education (ACE MV).
His life on Martha’s Vineyard also included immersion into hobbies like gardening, fishing and spending time aboard his boat, Take Five. He always looked forward to competing in the annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, an Island tradition. Allen was intellectually curious and incredibly well-read. He cherished his book group and the many deep friendships he developed on the Island, including those with his breakfast group, The Washashores.
Allen was predeceased by his parents, his stepfather, William E. Doherty, his wife Marjorie Marks and his brother Matthew F. Carney. He is survived by his wife Maura, their children Jacob, Caitlin and Sam, his siblings Tim, Phil and Molly Carney and his beloved dogs, Herve and Gilou.
A celebration of life will be held in May 2027 at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art. Additional details can be found closer to the date on CaringBridge.
In the aftermath of his accident, Allen spent more than four months receiving extraordinary care from the incredible team at Tufts Medical Center NNCU. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Allen can be made to Tufts Medical Center/Neurosurgery.