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February 12, 1927 - September 19, 2021
In loving memory ~ Alan passed away peacefully at Cowichan General Hospital on Sunday, September 19th, 2021.
He was born in Vancouver, BC but his family moved to Vancouver Island in the 1930s. They settled in Royston and had a small dairy farm from which Alan and his brother, Herb delivered milk on their bicycles throughout the Comox Valley.
He attended Victoria College in 1944-45 and he transferred to the University of British Columbia where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Applied Science (Civil Engineering).
Alan worked most of his life as a registered British Columbia Land Surveyor, initially in Courtenay as an articling student with Schjelderup Land Survey and then as a BCLS with McElhanney Engineering of Vancouver. While with McElhanney in the 1950s, Alan worked on surveys throughout British Columbia including the new Kitimat highway.
He married Gladys Andrews in Courtenay in July, 1952. Wishing to return to the Island, Alan set up practice first in Duncan and then for most of his career in Nanaimo. He built a home for his growing family with help from his dad in 1960 in Saltair which he lived in for 61 years.
Many thanks to his home care worker, Amanda Gillmore and her husband, Thorin for making it possible for him to stay in his home almost until his passing.
Alan was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many fishing and hunting trips with his family around Vancouver Island, in B.C.'s Interior and Alberta. Pheasant hunting in Alberta with his favourite dog, Sam in the 1980s was one of his favourite memories.
He also enjoyed gardening and in later years preserving his produce and baking his own cookies and pies.
Alan is survived by his sons Andrew, John (Betty Ann), Glen (Elena), daughter Katherine, grandchildren Martina, Claudia, James (Mya), Kristina (Garry), Daniel (Jade) and great grandchild Cedric.
He is predeceased by his parents, Bert (1971), Clara (1984), brother, Herb (1998), his wife of 43 years, Gladys (Andrews) in 2007 and son, Gordon in May of this year.
A lifelong Anglican and member of St. Michaels Anglican Church in Chemainus, a service will be held when Covid protocols can be observed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice. Condolences can be made to the family at Remembering.ca

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