Richard Brian (R.B.) Edwin Allen
June 12,1920 - December 8, 2011
Brian passed away peacefully in his 91st year on December 8, 2011 at his Pinecrest Home residence in Kenora, ON, lovingly surrounded by his family after a short illness.
He was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Lilly Allen, his loving wife of 58 years Margaret Jean Allen (nee McGillivray), his only sister Sheila and brother-in-law Robert Kilpatrick and his grandson Jeffrey Allen.
Dad will be sorely missed by his five children – Barbara (Arthur) Peters of Kenora, Richard (Katharine) Allen of Dryden, Linda (Pierre) Beaulieu of St. Albert, AB, Raymond (Jill) Allen and Beverly (Charles) Ollenberger, both of Kenora. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Michael (Tammy), Murray and Andrew Peters, Jennifer Allen, Denis (Julie) and Rene Beaulieu and Dwight Allen; great grandchildren: Sawyer, Brooklyn, Carter and Cade Peters, Kylie and Ryan Beaulieu; as well as brother-in-law and sister-in-law Gordon and Jane McGillivray of Vancouver; and several nephews and numerous special friends.
R.B., as he preferred to be called, was born, raised and attended school in Winnipeg, MB. He started coming to Kenora to fish and later guide at Cardinal’s Tourist Camp at Willard Lake where he developed a love for the area and later on in life was able to own a cottage on the lake there. He began working in Kenora at various jobs and soon after enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in 1941 to serve his country during WW2. He was attached to a transport section and later as a driver with the 24th Field Ambulance serving overseas in England, Italy and Holland.
After arriving home in January 1946 he soon met the love of his life, Margaret McGillivray who would later become his wife on October 23, 1948 and mother to their five children. Brian started working with the Kenora Post Office after the war and worked his way up from letter carrier to assistant postmaster and eventually postmaster in Sioux Lookout where he moved to in 1963 until his retirement from the Federal Service in 1974. While there he volunteered with the militia and teaching cadets in his spare time as well as enjoying time at their cottage on Abram Lake.
After retirement he moved his family back to their home on Rabbit Lake where he spent many happy years and continued to work part time jobs to keep busy. Brian and Marg enjoyed exploring the lakes and back roads around the local area, camping with their family and growing a garden in the summertime. In 2002 they moved into an apartment at the Gardner Block and in 2005 into Pinecrest.
After Mom passed away Dad became involved with the local dragon tamers team and was named an honorary volunteer. He truly was happiest when watching them practice and attending their various fund raising and awareness activities. He enjoyed his excursions out for lunches with his many friends, riding the bicycle at the Rec Centre, stopping in at the Seniors' Centre, afternoons at his trailer at Hidden Trail Resort and visiting family. He made many close friends with the staff at Pinecrest as well and liked to have coffee with them. It was there that he learned to play shuffle board and through his love of the game, donated a new table for the residents to enjoy.
Brian’s greatest achievement was his fierce independence and ability to drive his own vehicle until just recently. In 2010 he celebrated his 90th birthday and felt like he had achieved a goal to live that long. He thought everyone else around him was old but not himself!
Brian was a very generous man & supported many charities. He was a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters & a 60+ year member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 12.
A Service of Remembrance will be held in the Auditorium at Pinecrest on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 10:30 am. with Pastor Robert Wittmeier officiating, with a luncheon to follow the service. Private family interment to follow.
Donations if so desired may be made to the Kenora Dragon Tamers, Pinecrest Auxilliary or a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com
BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18