Allan (Al) George William Betson was born to William and Florence Betson on February 17, 1945 in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Al passed away on September 29, 2020 after a long battle with cancer and heart issues. He was predeceased by his parents, and sister, Margaret.
Al attended Queen Mary Elementary and North Vancouver High school. He was a salesman for Neate’s Coffee and Canterbury Coffee for 27 years and later in life he drove a tow truck and worked as dispatcher for Payless Auto Towing.
Al had a passion for baseball, from coaching to playing and listening/watching his favorite team the Toronto Blue Jays. He also loved roller skating, taking many of his evenings visiting the skating rink from childhood right through into adulthood. Al had a love for fishing, dancing, wrestling, and travel. He enjoyed taking cruises, with his favorite place to go being Hawaii. He enjoyed trips to the casino and seafood buffets. He was a dog lover and used to show his bull mastiffs in various dog shows. It brought him much joy to get to play Santa Clause at Winter Wonderland in Surrey for several years. One of his most prideful moments was getting to watch his niece Tonya earn her black belt in kickboxing.
Al was united in marriage with Cynthia (CJ) Kies on April 21, 2001 at Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver, BC. The couple did not have children together. However, Al loved his stepchildren and grandchildren as though they were his own.
Al is survived by his wife, CJ of Surrey, sister Linda (Peter Wheatley) of North Vancouver, two sons, John and Robert Betson, two step sons Joe (Diane) Petersen of Williamston, SC and Scott (Ann) Petersen of Delano, TN, step grandchildren Clinton (Ty) of Douglasville, GA , Jessica (Jared) of Benton, TN , Trinity (Sarah) and Lexis (Bozton) of Cleveland, TN, Shianne and Sadie of Williamston, SC and Landon and Emily of Iowa, step great-grandchildren, Raelene, Roman, Braylie and Trey, and niece Tonya (Nat) of West Vancouver.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Jackie and Juanita for their nurturing friendship to Al and CJ.
*Date and time of a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.