John E. Van Allen, 59, died Wednesday in Baystate Medical Center. He was born in Gardner, MA, son of Ruth and Fred Van Allen. He grew up in Ludlow and has lived in Agawam for 25 years. John worked as a machinist for Hodge Manufacturing for 17 years and later worked as a driver for FedEx. He loved NASCAR, having owned his own race car and worked as mechanic, pit crew and crew chief for many years at Riverside, Thompson and Monadnock Speedways. He leaves his wife Jeanne (Cotton) Van Allen of 25 years, three sons, Michael Curto and his wife Carla of Feeding Hills, Marc Curto of Agawam and Vincent Curto and his wife Alison of Agawam, a brother Thomas Van Allen of Kansas, three grandchildren who he loved very much Grace, Olivia and Max, niece Cindy Van Allen, and nephew Thomas Van Allen. He also leaves his cherished friends Joey and Lynn Fitzpatrick and his cat and loyal companion Sammy. A celebration of John's life will be Thursday November 2, 2017 from 4-8 pm at the Dante Club in West Springfield.