Allan Clark West

Allan Clark West – 70 of Halifax was the son of the late Roy Cecil and Lena May (Downey) West, and former resident of Africville, NS. He was a member of Cornwallis Street Baptist Church since the demise of our community of Africville in the early 1960’s. He is survived by his wife Heather and her sons, Steven and Jason, who called him “Big Al” and her grandchildren, who loved him very much, He is survived by sisters: Rose (Bernard) Campbell of Halifax and Beatrice (John) Wilkins of Dartmouth. Brothers: Frederick of Halifax and Perry of Montreal and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by sisters, Elizabeth (Carl) Jefferies, Olive May (Paul) Hamilton, Marie Loppie (James) Shirley Allen, Mary Gangoo, (Joseph) and brothers, Ernest, Roy (Colette), Michael, Baby West and George. Paternal grandparents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Riley) West. Maternal grandparents Hattie (Flint) Bain and Robert Sasso and adoptive grandparents Simon and Frances (Carvery) Downey and his eldest 2 nephews Gary Hamilton and Tony Jefferies.

Allan loved the Lord and knew the Bible inside out, he would tell us how God had a sense of humor and that He loved us. When we would talk, Allan told us that he was ready to leave this world because he knew where he was going. For many years Allan was a short order cook at the Citadel Inn Hotel in Halifax, he was such a great cook that he was always getting job offers from other Hotels. His friends in Halifax gave him the nickname “High Boy”, not for what you think, but because he was the best pool player (8 Ball) in Halifax. Allan was the finest dresser that I know and loved his big cars especially the “Caddies”. Allan had a great heart and would give you the shirt off his back if you had none, a Lena trait. He was a very good brother and his 4 remaining siblings of 15, will miss him dearly. Allan loved his nieces and nephews and would greet them with the biggest bear hug you could imagine. Allan also enjoyed the fishing trips with Jason, I know it reminded him of his fishing days in Africville. Since 1997 Allan was one of the first members of the Shining Lights Choir in Halifax which he greatly enjoyed. Heather remembers when she would walk down the street with him, and him being a mile ahead of her, and when she asked him to wait he would say “I can’t help it if my legs are on automatic pilot”, and would continue to keep his space, I imagine she finally reached her destination. There was nothing Allan wouldn’t do for those who knew him, he will be missed and loved and never forgotten.

Family flowers only, and donations may be made to the Africville Genealogy Society, Box 391 Halifax Central Post Office, Halifax NS, B3J 2P8; for the Kids Day Annual Picnic, because Allan loved kids.

Visitation will be held on Thursday March 17th, 2016 from 6pm to 8pm and the funeral service will be held on Friday March 18th, 2016 at 1pm both from Cruikshank’s Funeral Home 2666 Windsor St. Halifax. Officiating Bishop Joyce Robart (cousin). Committal will be held in Fairview Cemetery.

The family would like to thank family and friends who helped them through their time of sorrow and a special thanks to Heather, his wife who refused to let him go into care, God Bless you.