Joseph Allan Allen Southward

The world has lost a great man. His sheer presence lit up a room and his laugh made us all smile from the day we were born. His passionate views on life taught us to seize every day and to make every moment count. He always led by example. He showed us through his own actions and the time that he spent with us, both in and out of school, that family (be it by blood, or by love) is all that really matters and that if we pour our hearts and souls into what we believe in, that good things will come. He loved and cherished our mom with a ferocity that led us all to find the loves of our lives and he loved them as if they were his own. He passed on his wisdom and love to our own children daily and he was always here when we needed him.

Allan was born in Manchester, England on February 1st, 1948. He passed away peacefully in his home on the morning of April 20th, 2017, surrounded by his family. He is survived by Norma, his loving wife of 47 years; his wonder dog, Scotch and Norma’s bitch, Madigan; his children, Natasha and Craig Guidi, Jae and Ximena Southward, Samara and David Stratton and Wendy Pekelder and Henk Boer; his grandchildren, Ivo, Enzo, Adela, Daliah, Isabella, Cian, McKinley, Myrthe, Annelieke and Daan; his brothers Peter (Lenore) and Philip (Leslie); sister-in-love, Vicki (Pat); 5 cousins; father-in-love, Jack Morrison; brothers and sisters-in-love, Peggy (Jack) Beaton, Jacque (Donnie) Schneider, Sheila (Doug) Sullivan, Taddy Agar, Barbara (Charles) Kasnik, Duncan (Kelly) Morrison, John (Linda) Morrison, Pam (Mike) Smith and Lisa Morrison; as well as an abundance of very special nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues. Allan is pre-deceased by his daughter, Tara; his parents, Joseph and Lillian Southward; his mother-in-love, Fran Morrison; and his brother-in-love, Corky Agar.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Al Hignell and the Palliative Care team for their care, support, and empathy.

Dadoo, to say we will miss you is the understatement of the century. We long to hear your laugh, to feel one of your amazing bear hugs, to drink a beer with you, to have another of your life altering heart-to-hearts just one more time. Nevertheless, we are thankful that your suffering has ended and we take comfort in knowing that your legacy will live on. We will continue to love our own kiddos like you loved us and we will teach them, like you taught us, that kindness and empathy will take them much further in life than anything else ever could. We will surround Mom with family and make sure she is cared for as if you were still here. The memory of your strength and constant joy will carry us forward.

A funeral mass celebrating the life of Allan will be held at 10am on Saturday, April 29th at Corpus Christi (formerly St. Theresa’s), 750 Rutland Road North. Reception to follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Central Okanagan Hospice House, Canadian Cancer Society, or any charity of choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com.