Allan was born and raised in East Vancouver. He graduated from UBC Law in 1968 and was called to the bar in 1969. After a few years in private practice, he joined the BC Crown Counsel office in 1974, where he found a home. He was designated Queen’s (now King’s) Counsel in 1984. In 1988 he was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, from which he retired in 2011.
In 1966, Allan met Joan. They married in 1970. After living briefly in Burnaby, they settled in Point Grey in 1979, where they raised a family and built strong community ties. It was clear to all who knew them that, for Allan, the sun rose and set on Joan. He was a terrific dad to Jennifer (Tom), Matthew (Jana), and Jim (Adrienne). Thrilled when grandchildren arrived, he doted on Elliott, Gretchen, Lillian, and Clara. He was a devoted servant to a succession of pets: Puss, Georgy Girl, Pumpkin, Bogie, Moe, and Flo.
Allan had a keen sense of humour and a knack for telling a great story. He was kind, thoughtful, principled, generous, and self-effacing to a fault. He supported many charities and volunteered for decades with Meals on Wheels. Passionate bridge players, he and Joan were long-time members of the Brock House duplicate bridge group. He loved his family, books, rainy days, dogs, and sports—watching, not playing. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of a wealth of topics, including criminal law and procedure, American history and politics, World War Two, Bloom County cartoons, Monty Python skits, and Mel Brooks movies.
He will be greatly missed. Please remember him by petting a dog, picking up some litter, seeing the funny side, and/or donating to one of his favourite charities: Care BC Foundation (Meals on Wheels) and the BC SPCA, or a charity of your choice.
Many thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the BC Cancer Clinic, VCH Home Health, St. Paul’s Ward 10D, and St. John Hospice, and Safouh at Point Grey Pharmacy.