Tribute

Allan Donald Close

1933-AUG-24 / 2022-JAN-11

With tearful souls the family of Allan Close advise of his sudden passing in Penticton, BC, January 11th, 2022, at the age of 88.

Dad (Allan) was predeceased by Mom (Iris) a mere 27 days prior. Together again is where they wanted to be … Dad is with his “Sweetie” now.

Born in Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, and raised in Oliver, BC, as a young man Allan worked many places in the Okanagan, as well as Edmonton, Burnaby, Vancouver. In Vancouver is where Allan met this “beautiful young lady (Iris), marrying her in 1961. Together they raised three boys (Greg, Jeff, and Doug) in Port Coquitlam.

After retiring from many years in bookkeeping and accounting, Allan and Iris took advantage of their flexibility moving to Mission, and Grand Forks, eventually returning to Dad’s roots in Oliver, then Summerland. Snowbirding, for Dad and Mom, meant “catching up” with AZ friends to have a “cold one” in the “dry heat” of Arizona , as well as RVing all over North America.

Allan spent many years volunteering with Kiwanis in Oliver and thrived on the social aspects of his varied duties and involvement. Like Iris, he too loved to play cards and board games. We remember Dad playing Stock Ticker or Risk with the boys – spread out all over the living room floor … for days on end. Talk about an overload of competitiveness!! The boys come by it naturally  Even the grandkids picked up quickly on Dad’s/Grampa’s need to win ~ knowing full well that he was not averse to bending the rules, or simply ignoring them completely! Ask any of his nieces or nephews, they’ll tell you the same. Dad/Grampa got a great kick out of everyone’s reactions to his subversion. Another of his charms … he thought he was a good BSer ~ NOT! Before his words even finished coming out of his mouth you could tell by the twinkle in his eyes and his little half-smirk that he was trying to pull a fast one. In turn, we all loved to pull a fast one on him ~ he could be quite gullible at time and could still laugh at himself.

Always up for a political or news of the day discussion (excepting feminism discussions with his daughters-in-law or his granddaughters ), Allan/Dad/Grampa/Uncle could carry on. These ‘discussions’ usually had to wrap up when things got too loud.  Just like Iris/Mom/Gramma/Auntie (peas in a pod), he also had an opinion on most everything.

He will be remembered for his enthusiasm for family – tracing and recording family history, his “family patriarch” role for reunions and celebrations (especially for Mom’s milestones), his ability to “take care of the pennies so the dollars could take care of themselves”, his joy in joining his boys for a round of golf, his speed with which he could “push the panic button”, his giggles when we teased him about “warshing” the car and the “ruff” on the house, but mostly for the twinkle in his eyes (especially when talking about family, being subversive at cards, or trying to pull a fast one). We love you for ALL of that, Dad/Grampa/Uncle.

Living with many great memories are his boys, Greg (Deena), Jeff (Judy), Doug (Ardelle), eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with another on the way; as well as many more family, and friends. He will remain dear to all.

An outdoor celebration of life for both Dad (Allan) and Mom (Iris) will be held when the time is right again (tentatively planned for April 2022).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Allan’s name may be made to Kiwanis Club of Oliver, or an organization of your choosing. Condolences and tributes may be left by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com