Allan was born in Lashburn Saskatchewan. He was raised on the family farm in Lone Rock, Saskatchewan with his parents and six siblings. The saying “you can take the boy from the prairies but you can’t take the prairies from the boy” lived true in Allan's heart. He always had a fondness for the prairies but not the prairie winters.
Sports played an important part in Allan's teen and young adult years. He ran track and field in High School and still holds some of the records at Lloydminster Composite High. After high school he played football in Regina and Calgary. When injuries sidelined him he was happy “coaching” his children in their sports.
He met the love of his life, Miriam Leary at a Church Young Peoples Group in 1961. After just six dates he proposed and they were married the following summer in Chilliwack, BC.
Allan was an assistant manager for Woolworths at the time of his marriage to Miriam. He quickly advanced to a manager which had him, Miriam and the kids moving every few years to a new town for him to fix up another store. He stayed with Woolworths for 25 years and then Allan and Miriam decided to pull up their roots once again and move to Chilliwack, the town Miriam was raised in and always dreamed of going back to. He bought Southgate Smoke Shop in Chilliwack, he enjoyed going into the store each day, connecting and conversing with his customers.
Allan and Miriam built their “forever” home at Cultus Lake on the lot that Miriams parents had their cabin on for many years. Allan was so proud to call Cultus Lake his home. He took pride in installing sprinkler systems for the neighbors, building the beautiful meandering path along the lake front and maintaining his pristine grass and flowers in front of their house. He loved visiting with people passing by on the lake and in the later years waving to them from the comfort of his chair in the window.
Over the years, Allan was involved in, Lions Club Senior Housing, Thrift Store at the United Church, Cultus Lake OAP and many other non profit organizations. He was always happy to help and especially happy to help those in need.
Allan loved a game of cards, singing, visiting with friends, travel, cruises, a good dirty joke, steak dinner on the BBQ and gambling at the casino. He loved life in general.
The thing Allan cherished the most was his family. He will be missed by his wife, Miriam, four children, Karen (Garth), Brenda (Paul), Heather (Carl) and Ross (Kelly). Six grandchildren, Breanna(Jordan), Graham(Cassie), Tyler, Sarah, Makayla and Kyle. And his one great grandson, Sawyer.
He will also be remembered by his two surviving sisters, Marjorie Emerson and June Hiar, several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Due to Covid restrictions there will be not be a funeral but please take time to give your family a call and a hug in his memory.
Please leave messages and memories in the Book of Condolences for the family to enjoy.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Allan's name to Parkinson Society British Columbia
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