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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
COLLINS, Alan Ross - Our Dad, Alan, died recently in Edmonton at the age of 91, after a life well-lived. He was cared for in his final months by a constellation of his children, of whom there were nine in total. This made it possible for him to remain at home until a mere eight days before his death. In these final days, Alan was provided compassionate and exceptional care at the Roozen Family Hospice Centre (Pilgrim's Hospice Society). Alan's unwavering Christian faith underpinned a lifetime of kindness and generosity toward others, and his volunteering in many forms. He kept in touch with friends and extended family throughout his life the old-fashioned way: he spent hours typing letters on his electric typewriter, and weeks driving across the continent (often with one or another of his adult children), visiting family and enjoying natural and historic sites. Alan was born in Edmonton to Margaret Rebecca Chase Collins, a medical doctor, and her husband, Ross William Collins, both originally of Port Williams, N.S., who came to Edmonton in 1930 so that Ross could take up an appointment in History at the University of Alberta. Alan had an elder sister, Mary (now of Victoria), and a younger brother, Malcolm (of Ottawa), and grew up in a comfortable home, but one where taking responsibility (within one's community, and especially for elderly neighbours) was instilled at an early age. He enjoyed the family's road trips, to Banff and Jasper, and once to Nova Scotia, with his mother being the more exciting - because faster - driver. Alan was always industrious, with a paper route after school, managing the newspaper 'shack' as he grew older, and selling Fuller brushes in his university days. Alan's chief avocation was gardening, first enjoyed with his father, and later imparted to several of his children. As a young man he was an accomplished pianist, and he raised his children with an appreciation for art, music, science, economics and history. Alan was a cheerful person, defined by curiosity, empathy, social conscience and an active Christian lifestyle. Alan served summers in the Naval reserves while completing his law degree at Dalhousie University, articled in Calgary, and otherwise lived in Edmonton until his retirement at age 75. He practised law for almost 50 years, mostly as a sole practitioner, with daughter, Kathryn, ably running the office during many of Dad's final years. Alan was famous for cycling between his south-side home, office downtown, and the law courts in all weathers (except below minus 20C). Ever the advocate, he assisted a young friend in resolving a personal injury claim mere weeks before his death. He married Mary Good, a nurse, in October 1959, and they had five children: Megan, Daralis, Kathryn, Nelson and Byron. Early in the marriage, they also cared for Alan's ailing parents, and always hosted many friends in their gracious period home in Garneau, even creating a 'coffee house' in the basement, as they kept up with the times. They separated in 1971. Alan later married Laura Hardman, with whom he managed several local real estate investments, and travelled variously to Africa and Central America. They had one son, Oliver, in 1975, and separated in 1980. In the early 1980s, Dad and M. Jennie Frost, a teacher, became a couple, marrying in 1984. They had three children (all surnamed Frost, all of Edmonton): Michael, Carol and Peter. Alan remained an enthusiastic gardener, Salvation Army church member, Green Party member, canvasser for the Heart and Stoke Foundation, and paper route supervisor (this time of his children). Alan and Jennie separated amicably in 2005. Alan moved to Victoria upon his retirement, and enjoyed gardening there for many years, living near son, Nelson, and family. When he returned to Edmonton in the spring of 2021 (following a cancer diagnosis), he expended precious remaining time and energy caring for Jennie (who now suffers from Alzheimer's), taking her for long walks or for drives to various rural museums. Alan lived with and was cared for by his son, Michael, but mobility issues sent him into an independent-living unit - where he enjoyed new friends - for the weeks before his final decline. Alan is survived by his siblings, Mary and Malcolm; by his first wife, Mary (now Mary Wright); and his third wife, Jennie; by all of his children (so we believe); by his two grandsons, Isaya and Toshiya; his three granddaughters, Paige, Sophia, and Talia; and by many nieces and nephews. The family plan to hold a memorial event in April, 2023. Please consider a donation in Alan's memory, if you so wish, to the Pilgrim's Hospice Society of Edmonton. (The Globe and Mail 11 Feb 2023)
Ships served in: HMCS SCOTIAN - Served in SCOTIAN in 1955-1956 as a Cadet (S), UNTD, RCN(R) HMCS NONSUCH - Served in NONSUCH in 1957 as a SLt (S), RCN(R)
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