Alan Joseph Hustak

Alan Joseph Hustak, aged 82, passed away on May 21, 2026, in Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, following a courageous battle with throat cancer. He leaves behind a profound legacy as a masterful journalist, a devoted historian, a sharp truth-seeker, and a cherished partner.

He chased the dust of quiet, forgotten roads,

With camera in hand to catch the fading light,

On lonely prairie chapels where the silence spoke,

And old abandoned houses weathering the night.

He found a haunting beauty in the towns left behind,

Preserving ghosts of history before they slipped away,

A dapper soul with stories in his brilliant mind,

Capturing the shadows of a passing day.

Now he’s trading earthly maps for endless skies,

Rejoined with those who loved the open drive,

With his mother Gertie and his aunts, miles rolling by,

Behind the wheel, so joyful and alive.

Alan was born on March 29, 1944, in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, to a family with deep roots in nearby Stockholm. He spent his youth moving between Saskatchewan, Alberta and Washington, D.C., before pursuing his high school education with the Jesuits at Campion College in Regina. It was during these formative years that his insatiable curiosity, intellect and love for a good story were truly cultivated.

While he spent the 1970s and 1980s at the forefront of national broadcasting—working as a radio reporter for the CBC and serving as the Quebec Bureau Chief for CTV National News—Alan was best known for his exceptional print journalism. He spent over 20 years with the Montreal Gazette and frequently wrote for The Globe and Mail. A dapper gentleman known for his immense general knowledge, quick wit, and uncompromising standards, Alan was widely considered "the last of the old-style reporters"—always out to get a true scoop.

Beyond journalism, Alan was a celebrated author of more than a dozen books. He was a leading authority on the Titanic, famously penning Titanic: The Canadian Story. His invaluable contributions to chronicling Canadian history earned him the distinct honor of receiving both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Most recently, Alan lived right here in our community, where he became an anchor for the Fort Qu'Appelle area. He poured his heart into contributing to the local newspaper, the Fort Qu'Appelle Times (Grasslands News), ensuring that local stories were always told with dignity and care. He was also a passionate champion and volunteer of the local heritage museum.

Outside of his work, Alan was an avid traveler who loved the open road. He spent countless hours driving across the country, capturing photographs of abandoned churches, old weathered houses and forgotten ghost towns. Many of his favorite journeys were spent traveling alongside his beloved mother Gertie, and his aunts: Aggie, Josephine and Helen, who shared his love for adventure and loved driving like no one else.

Alan was predeceased by his beloved mother Gertie; his dear aunts: Aggie, Josephine and Helen; his cousins Wayne and Barbara Zimmer and the Hon. Rod A.A. Zimmer.

He is survived by his loving partner, who shared a life full of deep devotion, laughter and beautiful memories alongside him.

A memorial service to celebrate Alan’s extraordinary life will be held in the Garden of the McDonald House - Heritage Museum (198 Bay Avenue, Fort Qu'Appelle, SK) on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Jo Mader officiating. Attendees are kindly encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alan’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1910 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK S4P 2R3 or the Heritage Museum, PO Box 1093, Fort Qu'Appelle, SK S0G 1S0.

Alan wrote the final chapters of so many lives with grace. Now, the community he loved so dearly salutes him. The family extends their deepest gratitude to Joseph Andrew Zimmer for his unwavering support and strength during this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Alan.