Allan John Cameron Watson

Allan was born in Calgary, Alberta, to James Cameron Watson and Helen Emma Gamble (Geddes) Watson. Growing up in Lethbridge with his brother Walter, Allan played the cello in the local symphony orchestra and excelled in track and field, winning provincial titles in throwing events. Throughout his life he remembered his rambling walks in the grasslands and the song of the western meadowlark. In 1968, Allan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in the first graduating class from the University of Lethbridge. After graduation, Allan worked in the Faculty of Science at the university, where he assisted with zoological research.

In the early 1970s, Allan spent time in Costa Mesa, California, then moved to Victoria, B.C. where he met and married Rhonda Lynn (Scott) Watson and found work in the forest industry. In the early years of their marriage, Allan and Rhonda bought a post war house in the Saanich area with fruit trees in the back yard, where they welcomed three children: Daniel (1978), Jonathan (1980) and Tamara (1982).

In 1989, Allan and Rhonda moved their young family to Campbell River, on Northern Vancouver Island, where Allan worked at the Elk Falls mill and became closely involved in his local church. Through all his working years, Allan kept up a succession of educational pursuits, often at the expense of his sleep. In his free hours, Allan could be found working on his bicycle, lifting weights in the basement, scouting a tool for one of his woodworking projects, or perfecting his signature recipes for tea ring, pizza crust and double chocolate cookies.

In December 1998, Allan left work one night on his usual cycling commute, but never made it home. A spinal cord injury and head trauma from a cycling accident left Allan paralyzed from the neck down. After a year in Vancouver General Hospital and G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre with Rhonda by his side, Allan and Rhonda built a new life on the East Beach in White Rock B.C.

Since 2016, Allan lived in Evergreen Terraces long term care, where he was known for his love of singing, his curiosity about other languages and for sitting at the bedside of other residents during their final days. Throughout his life Allan maintained his deep-rooted faith, along with his dry humor and his strong opinions about trees.

Allan slipped away peacefully during the night after a lengthy illness, just after the 25th anniversary of his accident and just before his 50th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife, brother, children, daughter-in-law, five grandchildren, and dear friends. He will be greatly missed.

Donations can be made in Allan’s memory to Spinal Cord Injury BC.