Allan Rose

Allan Rose passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025, in North Vancouver, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1935, Allan lived a life rich in music, adventure, artistry, dedication, and love. He was 89.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Zealand Rose, with whom he built a beautiful life and family. Together, they raised four children: Caroline (Brian), Shelley, Mark (Heidi), and Michael (Haley). He delighted in their eight grandchildren: Charlie, Tavish, Leah, Evan, Ben, Matthew, William and Asher.

Allan’s life was a testament to his lifelong passions: family, music, and service. A gifted clarinetist from age 10, Allan grew up spinning 78s in Edmonton, playing along with Benny Goodman, Harry James, and Artie Shaw—whose influence would shape Allan’s sound for a lifetime. His musical path took him from the Westlake School of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles to stages across Canada with Mart Kenney and His Western Gentlemen, performing 59 one-night stands across B.C. at a time when the highways were still being carved into the mountains.

Restless for adventure, Allan travelled the world in the early 1960s, journeying through Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and Europe with best friends Werner Trueb and Alan Lyons, living on houseboats, hitchhiking across continents, and collecting stories and photographs that he would pour into journals.

After returning from his travels, he enrolled at UBC, where he pursued dentistry and met Zealand, his lab partner who would soon become his wife. The couple settled in North Vancouver, and Allan established a busy dental practice in New Westminster.

Even with a demanding full-time practice, his love of clarinet and performing live persisted. He performed weekly at jazz night at the Fairview Pub, usually in front of a packed crowd.

After his dementia diagnosis in 2010, Allan’s spirit never dimmed. He continued to play the clarinet with joy and grace, delighting audiences at local venues like the Cottage Bistro and the John Braithwaite Community Centre. Music remained a constant thread in his life, which brought him joy, identity and a way of connecting with others until the very end.

Allan’s legacy lives on in every note played, every joke he shared, and every memory made with those lucky enough to have spent time with him.

We share deep gratitude to Berkley Care Centre for their compassionate support during Allan’s final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 25 at 4:00 PM at Har El Synagogue, 1305 Taylor Way, West Vancouver.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.