May 24, 1951 - April 15, 2021
Alan passed away April 15, 2021 at Rainbow Gardens (Tsawaayuus) after a lengthy illness.
Predeceased by his parents, Herb & Evelyn Marshall, he is fondly remembered and deeply missed by Maisie, his wife and partner of 32 years; his children, Rachel (David), Jessica (Jacob) and Jori (Cheryl); his step children, Kyle, Connie, and Ian; his grandchildren Kayla, Chantel, Cameron, Isabella and Emma; step grandchildren Cynthia, Denae, Adina, Jamie and Lonnie; his sister Gail (Raymond) Stowe and his brother Neil (Sandra) as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Born May 24th, 1951 in Kapuskasing Ontario, he moved with his family to Port Alberni in 1957 and apart from a trip to India as a young man, he spent his entire life on Vancouver Island and environs. A 'West Coaster" to the end, he spent his latter years with Maisie in Nitinaht.
A resourceful do-it-yourselfer and jack of all trades, Alan worked at various self-employed occupations including carpentry and auto repair but his favourite occupation by far, was fishing.
For many years he was the proud owner/operator of the "Kokanee", a double ended troller powered by an Easthope "one lunger" engine with which he fished both the west and east coast of Vancouver Island.
Alan was a very unique individual with a wide variety of interests and as such it is difficult to define him in a few words. As testament to his eclectic personality, family and friends recall him with such varied terms as honest, funny, caring, smart, infuriating, curious, boisterous, argumentative, truthful, intense, opinionated, happy-go-lucky, independent, reflective, animated and a dreamer.
Alan was all of these and more but two words never heard when describing him were dull or boring as he seemed to embrace every occasion, be it an opportunity or a problem, with passion and enthusiasm.
Perhaps the following words found in the chorus of the Kris Kristofferson song "The Pilgrim", come close to defining him: "He's a pilgrim and a preacher and a problem when he's stoned, he's a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction, taking every wrong direction, on his lonely way back home".
Rest in peace Alan. You were loved and you are missed and you will never be forgotten.
Maisie and the family would like to thank the staff at Rainbow Gardens (Tsawaayuus) and WCGH for the care they provided Alan during his final years.
Respecting his wishes, cremation has taken place (provided by Yates Memorial Services). A memorial get together will be held at a later date.