Please click her to view the service.
On December 21, 2020 Allan Oliver of Edmonton passed away at the age of 87 years with Pauline, his loving wife of 64 years, at his side.
Allan was born to Emily Mary Oliver (nee Brumfit) and Wilfred Stanley Oliver in the Gibbons area. His older sister Robin Mae Westover predeceased him in 1966, his father in 1984 and his mother in 1997. Members of his sister’s family, brother-in-law Gary, grand nephews Gavin and Michael, nephews Ricky and Ted, as well as a host of aunts, uncles and cousins also predeceased him.
Allan married Pauline September 15, 1956 and graduated as a Chemical Engineer BSc. from the University of Alberta in May 1957. Their family grew quickly with their first-born Pam (Keith), followed by Jay (Eman), Stacey and Crystal. They moved into their new home in the Gold Bar area of Edmonton February 6, 1959 – the home they resided in for 54 years until they moved to their retirement condo in Rosedale Senior’s Living Residence.
Their children all graduated from the University of Alberta and gave Allan and Pauline 8 delightful grandchildren: Andrea, Stuart (Devon), Amanda (Jeff), Monika (Sam), Grace, Gina, Aiden and Hailey. In the spring of 2019, their first great grandson Gibson joined the Oliver Clan.
Allan joined the workforce building the new Sherritt Gordon metal refinery at Fort Saskatchewan right out of high school in 1952. He stayed with the company for 37 years, retiring in 1989 as General Manager.
Allan and Pauline were one of the founding families of St. Augustine Anglican Church. Many friendships fostered through this community led to life-long friends that shared in Allan and Pauline’s activities of travelling, trailering and social gatherings.
Allan greatly enjoyed a large number of hobbies and activities with the family including Sunday and holiday dinners and working with his kids on various home improvement projects. Allan and Pauline enjoyed travelling and covered a lot of the world in their journeys with Europe being one of their favorite places. Pauline and Allan also would spend 3 months in California each winter for a good many years, enjoying a circle of very close friends.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Rosedale for their ongoing support and kindness to Dad and Mom.
In lieu of flowers, Allan wished people to consider donations to the Win House, Ronald MacDonald House or the United Way.
Allan will be laid to rest in the church cemetery at Emmanuel Anglican Church in Gibbons at a later time. A virtual service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021. Please click here to view the service.
Sharka Launhardt says
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. He was an amazing person. I feel so lucky to have know him.
Mary jane and Rod Park says
Allan is such an important part of all our memories. He was the pillar of wisdom in Gold Bar, we were so lucky to be his neighbour! With sincere sympathy to Pauline and the Oliver family over the loss of a very special life.
Cliff Williams says
Sincere condolences to Pauline and family
Roger & Georgie Lufkin says
To Pauline, and to your children and grandchildren
We have been grieving with you over these past several days. The loss of our dearest friend and neighbour, Allan, has been especially difficult for us, and we still struggle to find the right words of condolence to offer you.
Having had Allan in our daily life for the last six years, he was like a much-loved brother to us. Over the past several months, due to the restrictions put upon all of us, we have missed our daily dinner chats about the news of things happening here at Rosedale, as well as what was going on throughout the world. We truly have missed those conversations that at times were funny and other times not so much—Donald Trump’s daily shenanigans being the most consistent topic. Al kept up to all of that and much more. He was knowledgeable on so much that he was a delight to have any sort of conversation with, no matter what the topic.
We have many fond memories of our regular “3:43 p.m. Happy Hour” and will always remember our most recent one which you and Allan so graciously hosted. What a delight it was to find that your son and daughter-in-law had come over and put up your wonderful collection of Christmas decorations which we have truly enjoyed on an annual basis for the past seven Christmases. This last one is a Happy Hour that will be engraved in our memories forever.
Allan’s thoughtful and unselfish kindness towards other Rosedale residents who needed a helping hand, particularly in the dining room, certainly will be remembered by all Villa residents. What a gentleman he was!
We are so sorry, Pauline, that we have been ordered to stay in isolation and cannot come over to see you in order to share in our grief in a more personal way. Your loss is our loss as well.
May the love of God give you peace and may the caring of friends give you comfort and strength.
Luv’n’hugs
Roger and Georgie Lufkin
Dave Damer says
Allan was the model husband, father and friend. I aspired to walk in his footsteps in both life and work. He taught me many things by example, how to care for house and home, the importance of family, and how to live a life of dignity. It was my honour to have known him and to call him dad. I hope to pass on his teachings to my children, and remember him every time I patch a wall, have tea after dinner, hear a poem in iambic pentameter, or toast those who have come before us.
Dale and Julie Wearmouth says
So sorry to hear of the loss of Allan.
Condolences to Pauline and family.
Gene and Pat Kerns says
So sorry to hear about Allan. We hadn’t seen him for quite awhile but always enjoyed his company at the Brumfitt get togethers.
All the best to you Pauline.
Doug Frend says
Pauline, Jay and Eman and the rest of Allans’ family. I am saddened to see the passing of Allen. While I knew him primarily through work, he was always pleasant and caring, and a real friend. Sincere condolences to his entire family. I’m sure he is missed greatly by his family, and I miss him as a friend.
Susan Westover says
Pauline, Pam, Jay, Stacey and Crystal
I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Allan has always been good to my family (the Westover’s). He and Pauline looked after us when we visited in the summer when we were young, and attended our weddings and funerals over the years – when they were able. Allan’s work ethic and family values were strong, and he extended his kindness and willingness to be there for us, all through his life. He is an honourable man, and I am saddened that I won’t be able to attend the service to express my thoughts and gratitude to your family in person.
Lydia Shalagan says
Pauline and family
Our sincere thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow along with wishes that memories of your so loved Allan bring you peace, strength and comfort . Allan was loved by all who knew him. He had personality plus, a willing hand, always smiling (even when it hurt so much) and very generous with compliments.
Oh yes , our happy hours were wonderful, full of laughter, we tried to solve worldly problems and prided ourselves that we had more common sense than the very people whom we elected and paid their wages!!!
I enjoy baking, so I would have dessert and drinks- happy hour, which we all enjoyed, Allan would say “Don’t throw that recipe away” so I knew the dessert must have been good!!
Harvey and I enjoyed so many evenings with Allan and Pauline watching Andre Rieu videos , so many wonderful memories of the Olivers, Luftkins ,Harvey and Lydia get togethers. We will miss very dearly. May he rest in Peace in God’s loving arms
Joan Kerns says
Dear Pauline, Pam, Jay, Stacey, and Crystal,
I am so sorry to hear about cousin Allan. He and Pauline were very special to me. I visited them, especially when I was in training, and always enjoyed my visit. In later years, it was good times when we would gather for a coffee party or a supper together with other cousins.
I will miss him. My condolences to you Pauline and family.
Joanie
Karen Ingram says
Sending our sincerely condolences and prayers n the loss of your dear Father. Sending love snd hugs to Jay, Eman send the whole family.
Love Karen Ingram and family xo
Subir Rao says
Dear Pauline and Family:
Our condolences to you and your family. I came to know Al in 1968, when I joined the Engineering department in Sherritt and worked for him for over ten years. He was a good man and a great boss. We often talked about him and remember his kindness and the great times he provided to all of us.
Our Prayers are with you during these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Subir & Reena Rao, Sherwood Park.
Rebecca Freiburger says
I’m so very sorry aunt Pauline ❤️❤️ My deepest sympathies to you and your family ❤️❤️ I’m so very honoured I got to meet n spend time with him when we came out west ❤️❤️
Dixie Lefebre says
Dear Pauline, Pam, Jay, Stacey, and Crystal,
You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers. We send our condolences on the loss of your husband and father. So challenging with the pandemic, not to be able to gather and celebrate his life…. so hugs to you all, we are thinking of you. Dixie, Greg and families.
Michelle Lavallee says
Deepest condolences from Fern and I to the Oliver family. Our thoughts are with you during this time.
Robert Westover says
Aunt Pauline, Pam, Jay, Stacey, Crystal
I’m not good at this but I wanted to say that uncle Allan was a good guy. Always smiling or laughing (kind of reminds me of grandad). I will miss him. Sorry for your loss.
Darik and Chris Johnson says
Pauline and Family:
My sincere condolences on the passing of Al. I knew him mostly as my boss at Sherritt, and it was a pleasure working with him. Through that time I got to know Jay and Iman as well. In recent years, a couple of us gathered for lunches with him every so often, and Al’s ongoing keen interest in things political always impressed me.
Margo and Glen LaValley says
Pauline and family, our heartfelt condolences. We miss Allan as our neighbour and friend, and will always treasure our memories of the good times we shared.
Heather Merwin says
Aunt Pauline, Pam, Jay, Stacey and Crystal
I am so sorry for your loss
I have very fond memories of spending our summers together when we were young kids.
Uncle Allan was always teasing us, always smiling. He put us to work too!
He was a wonderful, caring man.
His work ethic and love for his family, and family values were always very strong. Admirable.
The lessons he taught you, his work ethic, his kindness and caring for people, lives on in all of you.
Thinking of you x
Subhash Karkhanis says
Dear Pauline, Pam, Jay, Stacey, Crystal,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. My association with Al goes back to 1967 when I joined Sherritt as a young engineer. He had a notable influence on my career as an engineer. As Manager of Engineering, he brought modern day practices of engineering to Sherritt with excellent leadership skills. I admired his mentorship, organizational and management skills. He was fun to work with. We practiced energy management in those days through car-pooling. He was way ahead of his times. We will miss him dearly and will always be in our hearts and cherish his memories.
Bhupen Parekh says
I am indeed sorry to learn that Al Oliver my ex boss at Sherritt has left for his heavenly abode.
Al as we all used to address him at Sherritt was remarkable Chemical Engineer as well as a brilliant managerial leader.
I shall remember him as a mentor for almost 30 years who made sure that some of us foreign trained engineers had the same opportunities for career advancement as the Canadian trained engineers had. As a result I was able to travel to more than 30 countries to support Sherritt projects.
An exceptional man who lived a rich life without regrets and left a heritage of professional and personal achievements that will solace all of us.
Death is not extinguishing the light. It is only putting out the lamp because dawn has come.
Let the life full of love well spent with all of you and us bring comfort and solace in sweet remembrance and fond memories of good years together.
My wife Lata joins me in sending Oliver Family our heartfelt Condolences.
Bhupen Parekh
Valeta Roach says
As the circle of my parents’, Ellen and Stan Reid, friends gets smaller my memories of all the grand visits and great times we all had with your family gives me comfort.
Our parents had such a wonderful and long lasting friendship.
The wonderful memories will be in our hearts forever.
I am truly saddened by the loss of your Dad…my “Uncle” Al. My love to you…Pam, Jay. Stacey, Crystal and your families….and most of all my love to “Aunty” Pauline as she navigates each day without her dear Allan.
Valeta
Victoria Boyle says
I was so sorry to hear of Uncle Al’s passing. I have so many great memories of camping together in the summers, big dinner parties and many sleep overs at the Oliver house. It was like a home away from home. I send so many hugs to Auntie Pauline and all the rest of the family. You are in my thoughts everyday xoxo
Diane Voisin says
My deepest sympathies to you Aunt Pauline and family…Uncle Al was an amazing guy and we always loved our visits when you flew home to Ontario…he will be deeply missed…sending big hugs your way!!💕
Glen Voisin says
Aunt Pauline and Family,
Our sincere sympathy to all of you on the loss of Uncle Allan. He was an incredible man and left a legacy. “Even in sadness, you must feel pride in the legacy left by someone so special. That spirit will continue to shine, lighting the way for others, leaving all of us an example to follow and a remarkable life to remember with grateful heart.”
Donna Williams says
The Wearmouth family send their sincere condolences to Pauline Pam Jay Stacey Cristal and families on Alan’s passing. He will be terribly missed by all who knew and loved him. Donna