William Alan Kerr

Alan was born on July 10, 1929 in Niagara Falls, Ontario to parents William (Bill) and Helen Kerr. Shortly after graduating from Queens University at Kingston, Ontario, Alan married Mary Anne Gibson on August 20, 1952. Thus began a love affair that lasted 68 years. In 1958 Alan and Mary moved to Atikokan for a taste of northern life and, with the exception of a two-year teaching contract with the Canadian Department of Defense in Zweibrucken, Germany, Atikokan became home until his passing.

Alan taught at the Atikokan High School for 33 years and was well respected for helping students discover the joy of reading through a course he designed called Developmental Reading. He was one of the founding fathers of the Outers Programme and remained involved until his retirement.

Alan’s community service included terms on the Board of Directors of the Atikokan Ski Club and Atikokan General Hospital.

Together Alan and Mary created Adventure Canoe Trails, an outfitting business which catered to clients who wanted to experience the canoe routes of

Quetico Park. The business closed after Alan and Mary realized that they were sending folks off on canoe trips they wanted to enjoy themselves. In addition to paddling in Quetico they took canoe trips into a number of remote locations and on the north shore of Lake Superior.

In retirement, Alan and Mary became world travellers, teaching for a year in Turkey and then visiting India, Vietnam, China, Honduras, Australia as well as exploring Canada and visiting family in the US. Alan’s passion for reading was life-long, and he enjoyed woodworking, family gatherings at Lerome Lake, and visiting former colleagues and friends.

Alan is survived by his wife Mary, sons Dave, Peter (Leslie), and Paul (Xio), grandchildren Mellisa (Rob), Fawn (Mike), Mitchell (Allie), Lindsay (Ariel), Peter (Natasha), Meaghan (Mike), Chris, Alan, and Naomi: 9 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Helen, his brother Dave and his sister Margaret.

As per Alan’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no funeral is planned. The possibility exists that a celebration of his life may take place once Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed. Donations to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation in Alan’s name would be welcomed.

The family would like to thank the team from Riverside Health Care, and Dr. Shawn Minor for their outstanding care over the years Alan was at home. Special thanks also to Dr. Sara Van Der Loo and the nursing staff for providing kind and compassionate end of life care.