For Allan Forbes Park (1951 � 2007) Even as a child Life was hot to the touch, And I had to step back, To save myself. Much later I longed for A brilliant wife, And she appeared by my side. She gave me a daughter, Sweet and beautiful, My very own star, And a son who opened The TV and the toaster To see what made them tick. Play was my firewall, But not all the ladies and their tokens, Not all the knights and jousts Of Europe Could keep the fire away Forever and ever. The world has not enough drink To slake the fire closing in on me, Not even a pure lake in the wilderness Could quench the fire. There was no use stocking provisions, So when a fair wind blew from the land, I cast off and hoisted sail And glided across the harbor To the open sea. At first I could see my family Waving, and their tears, But they grew small on the wharf And their shouts died on the wind. September 22nd, 2007

All, Allan was one of those once-in-a-lifetime friends, poet, writer, muse and perhaps vagabond in the gentlest sense. Many a time we had hit the road, on marvelous adventures, the more spontaneous the better. Haunted prisons, the Enola Gay, and even Roswell. It was always strange and different. Never had his excitement level been higher at the prospect of traveling the dusty trails of the Australian Outback with me. We had sworn at Rowanlea that we would travel the world in search of wonders, until we could no longer operate the dongles on our electric wheelchairs. My last memory of him at the cottage is playing and singing "Blessed" beautifully, the fire crackling and flickering, as the moon rose over his shoulder in the window. Alas, and alas me mate and co-pilot has flown on the greatest adventure possible. His great spirit will live on in his beloved Grove. No doubt part of him will be with me on the rest of my life journey. I -was- truly Blessed. My sorrow for his wonderful family. Michael Sutton

My memories of Alan and of The Wire are always fond. Alan I know when I get to heaven you will be there, directing the show for the really big Guy and I hope I am good enough to be one of your techs in the sky as well. My deepest condolences to all of his family and all who knew him.

To Rena and all family members, please accept my condolences. I had the pleasure of knowing Allan at U of T through the theatre community. They were special times, and he was a special man.

Our deepest sympathies to Rena, Tara, Adam and family on your sudden loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to you. Andrew, Stephanie and Oliver

Dear Michael, Debbie and family. I wish to convey to you my heartfelt condolences on your loss. Though the years have passed, we all consider ourselves to be young, at least in heart, and, naturally, this is how you will celebrate Allan's unique and precious contribution to all your lives.

Dear Rena and family. I have such special memories of Allan both as a Stage Manager and Theatre Manager of Hart House Theatre. He was a delight to be around. He was involved with many productions and we could never raise the ceilings or doorways back stage high enough. Pleas accept my condolences to you and your family on your loss of an exceptional gentleman.

Dear family of Allan Park: Allan was a very special person in my university life. He cast and directed me in two plays at Glen Morris Studio Theatre: Bulwer-Lytton's "Money" and Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", and Moliere's "Georges Dandin" at Hart House. My now husband and I celebrated a memorable New Year's Eve with him and a few close friends at his house in the late 1970s, and I also had the pleasure of acting with him in "Dog Beneath the Skin" at Hart House, and seeing him act in a number of PLS productions. He was a gentle and kind director who nonetheless knew what he wanted, he was very funny, and he could be quite a boisterous carouser. He introduced me to Robertson Davies, his thesis advisor, who showed me how to faint like a Victorian lady and reminded me not to forget to put makeup on my hands. I am very sorry to hear of his too early departure from this world, and offer my deep sympathy to his family. Kate Bishop

OBITUARY

Allan Forbes Park

Passed away on SEPTEMBER 14, 2007

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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