In Fond memory of Andrew John Allan (born Glasgow, Scotland)

March 14, 1954, to October 21, 2025 (Denman Island, Canada)

The Parting Glass

So fill to me the Parting Glass

And drink a health whate'er befall

And gently rise and softly call

Good night and joy be to you all

'Slange Va' Sweet AJA

We raise a Guinness to you and a life well lived

As a young boy growing up in Glasgow, Andrew always had two prominent dreams, namely

living in Canada and playing a 'rocking' guitar. In his youth, Andrew spent many an hour

tinkering on the guitar, learning many songs of the era entertaining friends and family. In

the '70s, he graduated from Strathclyde University, Glasgow, in Mining and Petroleum Engineering,

opening a possibility to fulfill his dream of living in Canada, working in the booming Oil and

Gas industry in Western Canada. He gained his initial work experience in Scotland, Europe

and the Middle East with Schlumberger before applying and being accepted for sponsorship

to work in Alberta, Canada.

Hence began his life journey in Canada with guitar in hand and a head full of songs.

To begin his new life, Andrew traveled first to New York City and then an epic three day

train journey from Toronto to Calgary across the vast country Canada that he had always

longed to see.

Initially, his first post was to be in a Northern Inuit hamlet Tuktoyaktuk, but this changed

when he arrived in Calgary, he was sent to the prairie town of Brooks, Alberta, as a base for

his Engineering field work.

Andrew travelled briefly back to Scotland after starting work in Canada and returned to

Calgary with his long time friend and Scottish bride Julie. He lived there working in the Oil

and Gas industry for many years before leaving the industry to pursue another passion,

bicycles. He found the heartwarming Gregory Family business and got a job at Tuxedo

Sports and Cycle selling and fixing bicycles and sports equipment. He loved working at the

family business until deciding he needed another new challenge.

Always ready for an adventure and game for a challenge, Andrew and his good friend and

partner Sharon drove to the coast to look at land. They both fell in love with a piece of forest

on Denman Island which they decided to buy. They packed up an old motor and drove it out

to the coast to Denman Island to clear land, build a cabin in the woods and chop wood and

carry water.

A new life on a small island, finding a job was a creative endeavour and Andrew's ethical

work relationship, instilled by his father William, a prominent Lawyer in Glasgow, lead

Andrew to finding work with BC Ferries as an Engine Room Assistant. Many sailings and

adventures with BC Ferries provided many exciting and rewarding experiences sailings on

several ships on both Denman Island and Salt Spring Island. He was well loved by his

coworkers who sent him off in retirement with a Paul McCartney ticket (he always loved

the Beatles and knew by heart at least 90 of their songs) and a locker full of Guinness!

Andrew settled into retirement on Denman to enjoy his life accomplishments, playing lots

of music and enjoying his beautiful Denman Island that he loved dearly. He spent his last

years relishing in spectacular the sunrises and sunsets, the beautiful mountain and ocean

view, the deer families that he fed and his beautiful circle of musician friends jamming and

just sitting around singing with folks.

Although very shy at first, Andrew could really inspire musicians and get a crowd rocking

with his extensive repertoire and uncanny sense of rhythm. His touched many hearts with

his accomplished guitar, extensive knowledge of 100's of songs of all genres and beautiful

melodic voice. He had a great love for classical music as well and attributed this to his

mother Joyce who also loved music and was particularly passionate about classical music.

The household radio was permanently tuned to BBC Radio 3-Classical and Andrew

affectionately referred to classical music as the sound of his youth.

Andrew was a man of heart. We who know him, love our Andrew dearly. We miss his music

and singing. We miss his smile. We miss his spirit and he will always live in our hearts

Andrew is survived by his three brothers: David Allan (Scotland), Robert Allan (Ireland),

Mathew Allan(Scotland), his precious sister Rosemary Morrow (Scotland) and many

nephews and nieces and Clan members spread throughout the U.K. and the planet.

He will be so deeply missed by all his family, by Sharon, Julie Allan, Max Scott, and dear friends

on Canada's West Coast, Riki G. Ken, Sheldoneus, Wolf, Kevin, Fanny, and many others

scattered throughout this universe.

Andrew passed peacefully to his true home in Heaven

Surrounded by a band of Angels

With the eternal loving compassion

Of his Divine Creator

Rest Well in deep Peace dearest one

The End

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

The Beatles Abbey Road