Obituary of Donald William Allin

Donald William Allin, passed away unexpectedly on November 7^th, 2023 after complications from surgery in Cranbrook B.C. He was 72years old. His family and friends are deeply saddened by his sudden death.

 

Don is survived by and forever remembered by his siblings Clifford Vaughan Allin, Norma Fay Bloudoff (Kenneth), Thomas Hugh Allin (Lou Ann Hopper), and Gwyneth Lucille Allin (David Peets). He is also loved and remembered by his nephews, nieces and cousins as well as his former partner and long-time best friend Deb Hansen, her children Ryan, Nathan, Jory, and Carla as well as Deb’s grandchildren.

 

Don was predeceased by his parents Clifford Ernest Allin and Dollina Taylor Allin.

 

Don was born on May 15^th, 1951 in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. He grew up in Alsask, Sask and Marengo, Sask, where his father was the school principal. He graduated from Westcliffe Composite in Marengo and attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon for a short while.

 

Throughout his life, Don had several professions. He worked as a welder and radiographer on the pipelines, and the Mica Dam in B.C. during its 1980’s construction. He went on to become a sawyer as well as working several summers with his friend Bert Haines doing one of his all-time favourite jobs on Kinbasket Lake booming logs on the “well known” tug boat named the Navy Jack. The tug still sits at the harbour on Kinbasket Lake!

 

 In the mid 1980’s, Don obtained his Class 1 license and joined the B.C. Department of Highways as a plow truck driver followed by completing his Piledriver’s ticket and his Bridgeman’s ticket from the University of British Columbia. Don then became a Bridge Supervisor where he maintained bridges in the Golden and Revelstoke areas. Don LOVED his job and was proud to be doing the work. During his 30 plus years with the Department of Highways his colleagues had great respect for his perfectionism and especially for his razor quick wit, his sense of humour as well as his knowledge and expertise.

 

When Don wasn’t at work, you could find him fishing or camping. He never missed the chance to visit a museum when visiting other places but his passion was tinkering or fixing any type of machine. He was intrigued by all machinery, but especially steam tractors.

 

During his early years, Don was a self-taught musician playing the guitar by ear just like his father Clifford. He began his fascination with machines while “fixing” his Harley Davidson motor cycle in the school shop.

 

Don was a veracious reader, known for always having a stack of books from the library on hand. He enjoyed reading about history and politics.

 

In retirement, Don was happiest at home either tinkering with an engine or reading his books with his beloved cats close by. His siblings enjoyed all the updates on the current books he was reading or the trips down memory lane that his sister (Norma) Fay would share after her regular phone calls (or the cross-country checkup as she called it) to Golden. Don was certainly happy and contented with his life. 

 

Anyone who knew Don remembers that he was strong willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and was generous and loyal.  He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all of his life experiences: In typical Don fashion, there are no services planned, certainly no pomp and circumstance.

 

He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.