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 shared 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 in 1973, a house where Sandy, Mirissa and Pablo still spend time. Some may remember that for several years back in the 1980s, shops on the island sold a postcard 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 Manhattan's east side. 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 NYC's buzzing metropolis. 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 28, 2026

Gentle, kind, soft spoken with a lilt in his voice that hinted at a smile. And what a big smile. My cousin Allen allowed me to stay at his house in Dunewood for part of a summer when I had a job in Ocean Beach. To this day I tell people that Mel Brooks was my neighbor for a while.
Generous to a fault. And humble, particularly about his fishing expertise, at which he was a master in anyone's book. I'll listen to hear his voice on the incoming tide. He will be missed.
Bonnie and I send our condolences to Bonnie, Marissa, Alexander, Josh and Pablo.

Michael David OGara

July 26, 2026

I fondly remember my cousin Allen as a tall, handsome young man. Condolences to Bonnie, Alex, Marissa and Pablo. May his memory be a blessing.

Tema Harrishburg

July 22, 2026

I have so many fond memories of my cousin Allen that I really don’t know where to begin. But a few things really stand out. I think my lifelong obsession with all things fast may trace back to my early fascination with Allen’s gorgeous vintage Porsche. A bright spot in my childhood was the time spent at Fire Island, particularly digging for clams and the resulting feasts. And, of cource, the many victories and many more heart breaks we shared as life long New York Sports fans. Even with our age difference he always treated like a friend, not a child. He was an incredibly kind and warm person. May his memory be a blessing.

Rob Grien

July 21, 2026

Cousin Allen was a kind and caring man. He had a warm and welcoming smile. I adored his parents Aunt Ida and Uncle Mike. They were regulars at my family home in Patchogue. I remember Allen ,Uncle Mike, and my dad Henry, fishing off the docks in my back yard .
After reading the above and at this moment ,I have a vision of Allen in his tennis whites and a racket over his shoulder .
May he rest in peace.
Thank you for sharing .
With my sincere condolences to Bonnie,Marissa,Alex,and Pablo.

Caryl Janvey

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