Allen Neff

The song is ended, but the melody lingers on. 
- Irving Berlin

Obituary

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Allen Neff on July 5, 2026 in New York City. He was just shy of his 92nd birthday, and is survived by his wife Bonnie Singer, son Alex Neff, daughter Mirissa Neff and grandson Pablo Neff.

A native New Yorker, Allen spent his early years in Astoria, Queens, before leaving the city to go to college at Syracuse University. He soon returned to New York to work as an architect. He was part of the first wave of young adults sharing summer rentals in Fire Island, a place where he made many enduring friendships. One of his favorite stories to tell (and there were many) was about the summer of 1964, when a group of British musicians with set up camp in his share house in Ocean Bay Park. He could barely understand them due to their thick accents, but when their band's star rose meteorically some months later, he knew he'd forever be able to brag about having once shared a house with The Rolling Stones. 

His love for Fire Island and for fishing in the Great South Bay led to him and his second wife, Jeanette, purchasing a house in the community of Dunewood, a house where Sandy, Mirissa and Pablo still spend time. Some may remember that for several years back in the 1980s a postcard was sold in the general store near Dunewood that featured him in silhouette atop his Boston Whaler, motoring back toward Dunewood after a fishing trip with a spectacular sunset as the backdrop.

After marrying in the late 1980s, Allen and Bonnie moved to their apartment in the Waterside complex on the East River. This environment suited him perfectly, as it afforded easy access to a diverse community, and life on the waterway of the East River, while still being in the middle of everything that NYC can offer. For many years he and Bonnie were devoted to the Kripalu yoga and meditation organization, and spent time at its locations in NYC and Lenox, MA. In recent years it brought him joy to chat with just about anyone (and everyone) at Waterside, watch the Mets obsessively, and to feed his cat Ryleigh. 

His passing was quick and merciful. He will be missed.

Gallery

Memory wall + Guest Book

July 20, 2026

Kind and loving. Compassionate and caring. A remarkable story teller. Bright and accomplished. Proud of his family and in love with Bonnie always. A beautiful smile. This is the Allen we were so blessed to know. may you soar and be in peace.
With heartfelt love, J and S

Sherry and Jeff Judd