Kenneth “Ken” Allen, founder of Ken Allen’s Septic Pumping in Presque Isle, Maine, passed away July 28 at age 81. Allen started the pumping company in 1957 after manually shoveling out his own outhouse and then doing the same for neighbors in rural Maine, according to his grandson, Caston Lovely, who purchased the business in 2010.

“My fondest memories were riding along with him in all of his many pump trucks. He had approximately 10 trucks over the span of his career,” Lovely says. “He affected so many lives and has provided so many years to our customers in Aroostook County and beyond. He will be truly missed.”

Allen is survived by his wife, Carol; five children; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.