Robert Arthur Allard

Robert Arthur Allard, 84, died peacefully surrounded by his family in his home on Monday, April 1 after a long illness. Bob was born on January 25, 1940, the son of Robert E. Allard and Hildreth Philbrick Allard of Manchester, NH. He graduated from Bishop Bradley High School in 1958 and the College of the Holy Cross in 1962. Bob earned an Eagle Scout at age 14, and served honorably in the New Hampshire Air National Guard from 1963 to 1969.

Bob settled in Portsmouth and started his career in 1964 at his family's business, Ray the Mover, Inc. in Newington, NH. In 1972 he and his brother Champ founded Allard's Moving and Storage, Inc., which grew to become one of the region's leading moving and storage providers. He later founded Allard's Records Center. Now known as Allard Park, the facility remains as a commercial warehouse. A talented businessman, Bob had exceptional gifts of integrity, service and an authentic way of connecting with people from all walks of life, from his staff of movers to presidents and industry leaders.

Bob had a deep love for his family and enjoyed spending his free time following his children and grandchildren in their various activities ranging from cheering on and later coaching little league, attending high school band and theater performances, and watching his kids and later grandkids playing all manner of sport. He greatly enjoyed beating his sons and later his grandchildren (less successfully, truth be told) at golf, ping pong and any other opportunity. While he tragically never made a hole in one, his competitive spirit remained late in his life as conveyed by his having shot his age multiple times starting when he was 76.

Bob expressed his strong Catholic faith through service to his church and greater community, regularly donating his time and talent when called. He was a member and leader on dozens of boards for the state of New Hampshire, the city of Portsmouth, and the Seacoast for more than fifty years. Included among these is his chairmanship of the fundraising committee of the Portsmouth High School Band Boosters in 1983-1984, the Maine-New Hampshire Bridge Authority where he was the longest serving member from 1971 to 2018, and the Foundation for Seacoast Health from 1984 to 1996 serving as President from 1994 to 1996. He was also a member of the Pease Development Authority from 2001 to 2020. Bob served his parish as a Eucharistic Minister for over 30 years, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight from 2018 to 2022. He was also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Bob's many contributions to the community were recognized with several honors, including Portsmouth's 1995 Citizen of the Year and the Boy Scouts Daniel Webster Council's Good Scout Award in 1999.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Margaret (Peggy) Coughlin, daughter Julie and husband Peter McCook of Chester Springs, PA, sons Robert and wife Nada Milosavljevic of Andover, MA, David and wife Linda of Exeter, NH and Daniel and wife Kayla of Haverhill, MA. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Catherine McCook, Nicolas McCook, Elizabeth McCook, Andrew McCook, Noah Allard, Thomas Allard, Sebastian Allard, Connor Allard, Avery Allard, Ryan Allard, and Cash Allard. He is also survived by his sister Judith and husband James Fredyma of Contoocook, NH and his brother Arthur (Champ) and wife Constance of Portsmouth and his brother in law, Father William Coughlin of Malden, MA and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Janet Mosher and his niece Judith Rajala.

Calling hours will be held at Farrell Funeral Home, 684 State St. Portsmouth on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 4 PM to 7 PM.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 6 at 11 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, Corpus Christi Parish, 98 Summer St., Portsmouth.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Portsmouth Catholic Share Fund, 845 Woodbury Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801 or Operation Blessing, 600A Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801.