Michael A. Allen, former president and CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation and McAllen Foreign-Trade Zone, died Wednesday night at Rio Grande Regional Hospital with his wife Theresa and family at his side. He was 72.
Allen, a former priest and co-founder of the Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition had been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
In 2006, Allen retired from the McAllen EDC but remained active in the community, serving as a trustee for South Texas College.
“He’s helped so many people and that’s his legacy," said his sister Joyce. "He spent his life trying to make things better for others. He had an amazing knack of making himself available and easy to love.”
McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez recalled Allen's great leadership and was saddened to hear the news.
“Yesterday I lost a dear friend. Mike helped define this region as a vibrant economic area with great opportunity," said Mayor Cortez. "He recognized the importance of education and worked hard to provide necessary job training for our citizens as well as provide access to higher education. We will miss him dearly but his spirit will always be part of our community."
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen.
There will be a rosary on Friday, August 27, 2010 at noon at Sacred Heart Church, 306 S. 15th St., McAllen.
A funeral mass will take place on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 630 N. Dunlap, in Mission.
Mr. Allen's burial will be private.
Click on the following link to view a memorial video produced by MCN 12, the McAllen Cable Network.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx2lhYUmojc
The following is a link to a memorial site developed by South Texas College.
http://admin.southtexascollege.edu/memorial/allen/index.html