Al was a tremendous instructor. In 1978, my father recommended Al's psychology course to me, as he had enjoyed thoroughly a discussion course Al led on Jacob Bronowski's Ascent of Man BBC series in 1977. Over the next several years, I was able to take all of Al's courses. I particularly enjoyed Developmental Psych.
I think of Al often and am very grateful we crossed paths; he lit a spark that's yet to fade. 
My condolences to his loved ones.

Prof Al, as I new him, was my favourite psych Prof, who embodied  a perfect balance of intelligence, humor, devil's advocate, and confidente both in and out of the classroom. He always had the time to chat over current and previous lectures to the point of shear exhaustion, mostly for me. I learned everyday from him, and brag 25 years later now to my kids about my amazing, motivating and full of spunk Prof. I often think of him, as I'm a teacher now, and was quite saddened to see this post of his death today from 2012. Condolences to his family and friends. Xox

I've just discovered this site and learned of Al's passing. I was his student and his friend for many years.

Dear Mary, My deepest sympathies to 
you and your brothers on the untimely death of Allan. I last saw Allan when I was visiting the B.C. interior in the late 90s when he was living in Kamloops. He welcomed my friend and I into his beautiful cottage on a lake, where we reminised. I really never knew Allan as an adult but remember him in Low Point, C.B. as the ever diligent, reliable altar boy and of course at your home when you and I would visit as friends. 
His life took many turns since his altar service at the old white stone church. May he rest in glory.
Geraldine LaRocque (McPhee)

I wish that I could be there to hear the stories, poems and music.  I think Allan left quite a big and wonderful mark on all of us.
 
We first met in 1964 at Acadia University, in Wolfville NS.  During my two and a bit years in Wolfville. I was also fortunate to meet and get to know Marian and Sean.  Sean of course, was a baby/toddler at the time.  I think David was born while I was still in Wolfville, and I loved spending time with these two babies.  I was newly married at the time and was grateful for the friendship of this family.
 
My husband (ex now, for many years) and I admired Allan and Marian so much we asked Allan to be our son's godfather… not so much in a religious sense, but in a more spiritual and heart sense.  We also gave our son, Jody, the name MacKinnon as his middle name.  I know Jody would be at this gathering if he could be… Allan has been a presence in Jody's whole life. 
 
Allan was always very loyal to his family and friends, and he had a heart the size of North America and beyond.  Allan was one of the most honest people I have ever known… we might not have always  agreed with what he had to say, but we always, always knew where we stood with him.  He was not afraid, nor shy, about standing up for his sometimes controversial ideas.  I have seen him referred to as “Big Al” in some of the emails—I have never heard that, but I agree… he might have been small in stature, but bigger than life in his energy, his humour and his love of life.
 
Allan, I am so sad you had to leave this world before I had the chance to answer the snail mail letter I received from you the day after you left this world.  I want to thank you for sending the photos of you, Jody and me.  Yes, I will pass them on to him.   You mentioned in your note that you got to see your children and grandchildren, so “mission accomplished”.  I am so happy for you and for them that you made that happen. Curiously, this note I received, in which you said you were in Whitehorse, "Aug. 17 or so" had a postage stamp on it, but no postage cancellation... it was as if you put it in my mailbox yourself.  Strange, indeed.
 
So, to sum it up, my heart is very sad that my good friend has left this world, but my heart is full of joy to have known this always energetic, this always active, this intense, this fun-loving, this brutally honest man, who was so filled with passion it overflowed onto anything and anyone who was within receiving distance.
 
I am there in spirit, and my heart is with all of you and the entire MacKinnon family.  Allan is greatly missed.
 
With tears, smiles, laughter, and lots of love,

I have had the good fortune to know "Uncle Al" since the early 70's at Cariboo College and had a last visit  in Santiago Chile last year when we swapped old stories about times past. What I always enjoyed about Allan was the fact you always knew where he stood on issues and that he could always support his position yet he would listen patiently to what you had to say as well. Always a joy to be with and after I left our many conversations I was inevitably a more informed person. He was a total and natural teacher who would keenly talk for hours over a good pint and seemed to be able to converse on just about any issue. I have so many fond memories about "Uncle Al" and will miss him dearly. Love you Allan and will forever "toast with you". The world has lost a truly natural teacher. Today my thoughts are with you and your family and so wish I could have been there with them. Nelson Riis

Deepest sympathies to all the McKinnon boys on the loss of your Dad (Allan). He was quite the character and it was a pleasure to see him on his few trips to BC. As you celebrate his life today remember the good times you shared.

Although he has left this world I'm confident the next one will be just as interesting with him in it! Here's hoping our little leprechaun will find both peace and his pot of gold.

David, Sean, Sasha James and families. Your Dad left me with many wonderful memories of him. Uncle Allan never changed since I was a little girl. The last time he was in Cape Breton we had a great chat and a few laughs. My kids also have fond memories of whenever they saw him. Melissa says he was always happy and made her laugh. We had just started e-mailing last year to keep in touch. A little bit of rebel lives on in all of us MacKinnon's. My thoughts and love are with you all at this hard tim

Hi to the Lads in the West Coast Clan;

                We were all saddened to hear about your Dad's passing. Our thoughts & love go out to you all.  As you probably know, I had the distinct pleasure of having Uncle Allan at our home in Halifax on a couple of occasions, and of course we stayed in touch via email & the odd old fashioned "snail mail".   Your Dad was a very interesting, if highly opinionated, man, and I loved him.  My favourite memories include the few quiet times we got to spend together, just he & I, talking about the older days when all of Jim's boys were growing up in Cape Breton.  Family stories. Those are my fondest memories. I couldn't tell you the many belly laughs we had together, nor all of the family stories from your Dad's perspective. 
                I will certainly miss my "Uncle Gypsy", as I dubbed him. This poem is for him.

The Final Voyage
(An Taisdeal Craoch)

Goodbye old friend, farewell.
No longer will we debate
Battles of long ago,
Or simmering religious creeds.
No longer the companion cup
Of "uisge bheagh" supped
On summer's eves.

But rumours of wood smoke
On drifting current's
In some other yard
Shall bring you back to me.
Peat taste lingering,
From single malts,
Will awaken memories.

Now off adrift
On ocean waves,
At peace you sail away.
Until, in future time assured
Again we meet
For  good argument,
And renewal of kinship.

Steve

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
<a target="_blank" href="http://poetryfoundation.org/index.html">The Poetry Foundation</a>

OBITUARY

Allan Mackinnon

October 30, 1936 – August 31, 2012

Vancouver Memorial Services and Crematorium

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