Allin: Father, Coach Remembered

Dave Allin was a legend among coaches and teachers in Chatham-Kent. A loving father of eight, and a role model and leader for countless more, Allin passed away Friday at the age of 61.

Survived by his wife Helen, and children Luke, Max, Trevor, Conor, Cleo, Molly, Richard, and Greg, Allin was an integral part of the Chatham sporting community.

Inducted as a builder into the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, Allin coached elementary and club basketball for 35 years in Chatham, and was responsible for developing many of the programs Chatham athletes are now flourishing from. His school teams won 20 senior championships, and Allin was the first to coach a Chatham Wildcats OBA team in 1997, a role he continued until 2010. In 2009, the KCSSAA high school basketball MVP award was renamed in Allin’s honour.

Nicknamed “Grouch,” Allin battled with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The long time coach and teacher at Indian Creek Road and Queen Elizabeth II Elementary School’s, will be rememebered as a strong father, coach, and legend in Chatham-Kent.

Visitations are scheduled for Allin Saturday from 7 to 9pm and Sunday from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm at Hinnegan-Peseski Funeral Home. The Funeral home is located at 156 William Street in Chatham.

Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church Monday at 1pm.