ALLAN HUNTER

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ALLAN HUNTER 1928 - 2009 Peacefully with his family at his side Allan passed away at the Riverview Health Centre on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at the age of 80. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Junanne, Lori, and Sandra (Keith), his son Jeff (Debi), his grandchildren Brian, Adam and Lisa, and his sister Marian and brother Fred (Wilma), niece Susan and nephews John and Ed. He was predeceased by his parents William and Ellen, along with his brothers Bob and Cam and his sister Edith. Dad was born in Virden, Manitoba in 1928 and spent his early childhood in Madoc, Ontario where his father was a Presbyterian minister. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a radar technician when he was 20 years old. Dad spent a total of 45 years in service to his country. He had a long career as a military pilot, flying many types of aircraft, with the Sabre being his favourite. He then joined Transport Canada as an aviation inspector. Dad met his future wife Shirley in 1951 and married her in 1952. They began their married life with Dad posted to Germany and Mom awaiting the birth of their first child. Later Mom and son joined Dad in Germany where oldest daughter was born. The next 18 years included the birth of two more daughters as well as several postings across Canada with stops in New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario before returning to Manitoba in 1970. Dad was a kind and gentle soul who knew the meaning of stopping to smell the roses. He was a loving father, grandfather, husband, brother and friend. He loved to play so we were fortunate to have a childhood full of fun and adventures. He participated in lots of sports but his favourites were sailing and golfing and for many years his friends got to enjoy the Hunter Invitational Golf Tourney at our family cottage at Hillside Beach. Dad made deep friendships with many individuals and it is a testament to his character that most of them lasted his whole lifetime. Generous and hardworking, Dad was the consummate volunteer and many Winnipeg organizations benefitted from his help over the years. He was a longtime volunteer of the Western Canadian Aviation Museum and in his late 70s he took up volunteering to read to veterans at Deer Lodge Hospital. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Smart for his ongoing care of Dad, the home care staff at Sturgeon Creek II, especially Mariella, for their constant and tender care over the past year and a half, to Mick and Karin our dog walkers who brought a little extra joy to Dad's life on a daily basis and the staff of Riverview Health Centre who made his last few days comfortable. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Western Canada Aviation Museum, the REH-FIT Centre, the Alzheimer's Association or the charity of your choice. Dad so loved being a pilot and his wings will serve him well on his next journey. He loved this poem. High Flight - the Pilot's Creed Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air... Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue, I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, nor even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high, untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 05, 2009