ALLAN BARRY HIRSCH

Condolences & Memories (14 entries)

• I have known Allan since I purchased my 1st car from him way back in 1968, we have been friends for a very long time, I certainly will miss him. - Posted by: David (friend) on: May 21, 2017

• Al was a kind and honest man who touched many peoples lives, always in a positive way. Thank you so much for your many years of service in the automotive industry. A true gentleman who was as genuine as they come. Rest in peace friend. - Posted by: Gauthier Family (Friend + Co-Worker) on: May 04, 2017

• Allan's been my brother-in-law for 50 years. What a guy, he was always there when needed with no questions asked. Always, giving good advise. He was a great mentor to me. I will miss his positive attitude and sense of humour. Yes, Allan you will be deeply missed by myself and Rozanne. Garry - Posted by: Garry Weselake (Brother-in-law) on: Apr 25, 2017

• Oh Where to begin, If you had never had the opportunity to have Al in your life as a friend, you missed out on having one of the most trusted, loyal friendships. I met Al when I was only ten years old. Him and my father were Ham radio guys. He was my dads closest friend during the 70/80's. He often came to our home and I was very shy, but he would be so genuinely kind to me that I couldn't wait for him to come to visit. Then, fast forward to when he lost his beloved wife- he would be at our home often, grieving his Beloved Sheila. Later down the line my mom was always trying to fix him up with dates but never ever did anyone replace his wife. He would tell us " But she is not Sheila". I never met a man more loyal than Al. In all the years I knew him, it was true, there was never another Sheila. Al worked in the car business for decades. He sold me my first camaro, two olds firenza's, a fiero albeit he was pleading with me at the time to please by a cadillac and I would joke and tell Al, ' not until I reach your age buddy", a traded in One Year Old Ford Explorer, a Grand Am and taddaa...finally my first Cadillac!! " I reached YOUR age my friend!" Now I am on my second Caddy! You were right Al! As a young woman I loved cars and car rides so when I was just 18, Al and I would go for long three hour cruises during the summer of which his wife passed where I believe I was there for him during a time when he needed a friend to listen. We cruised in his brown corvette. We continued our long car rides, long talks till I got married. Can you believe that Al and I were so close, that he was even at my wedding shower? The only man there but Al said in his sweet voice " I wouldn't miss it for the word, Kid". He always called me 'kid". I guess because to him, I was always, just a kid. Over the years we all tend to go our separate ways, we have issues, take ill but Al and I never lost contact. When I was home bed ridden for two years, Al never gave up on me, never stopped calling and never ever stopped giving me hope. He was that way. He even introduced me to one of his dear lady friends, with whom I began a long friendship. Al loved to get people together as friends. Her and I went our separate ways a while back but it was her that alerted me to Al's passing so even in death, Al still found a way to unite friendships. Al was a friendship person. I had just spoken to Al in March and have regrets for not dropping in to see him unannounced one day when passing by his area. I did not because I knew AL liked to be at his very best at all times for company. Him and my husband then developed a friendship. AL was contagious, if you met Al through someone, you were drawn to his kindness. Him and my husband then shared a mutual interest in Satellite Dishes, so for a while there, I was a bit jealous I lost my friend to my husband, lol. Al introduced me to my first computer and came and set that Sony up for me, got me free internet and said " see what you missed" He was concerned I was missing out on too much when sick and home bound and he found me a life line. From there, he introduced me to all little tricks, how to IM, how to compose an write a letter. I knew nothing about computers, but Al was champion of Cause. AL was meticulous with dress and you would never see Al without a perfectly pressed Polo shirt, dark trousers and his hair perfectly manicured by his Barber on every Thursday. I would tease him about that. I can go on about many things , but in the 46 years I had known Al, I never once heard him cuss, never once heard him speak ill words about a colleague or anyone. He was a pure gentle man in every sense of the words. He was whitty, charismatic, kind, soft, gentle, and authentic. The latter is what I loved about him the most. I loved it he would tell me straight out if he didn't like what I was wearing, or the new color of my hair and he just absolutely hated me wearing red lipstick..LOL...I was forever changed from Revlon Red to Passion Pink because of Al.. That's how well we knew each other. He raised 2 daughters on his own and they were the most important in his life. He spoke to me so highly every time we talked of both of his girls. And Wynn...omg him and Wynn his Chinese Crested were two peas in a pod. I will forever miss you Al. I wish we would have been able to get together as we said we would in our last talk in March when we made plans to go to Good Earth for Chinese Food after you would come visit and see my sun room, as Al said it was the best in the CIty. I am going to try it Al, I promise. Loved you to the moon and back my dear friend. Forever and always in my heart. - Posted by: Barbara Camara () on: Apr 25, 2017

• Toby, Rochelle and Family: I was very sorry for what your Dad had to go through and that he passed away. He was in my life for many years and was a good friend. I even bought my last car from him in 2013 after I had an accident. I will miss the conversations, the E-mails and him. He always spoke of Sheila, his girls who were the best(you could do no wrong in his eyes) and his grand children who were the apples of his eye and the car business (he loved this business and the people). Rest in peace, my friend. Jo Anne - Posted by: Jo Anne (Friend) on: Apr 25, 2017

• We are so sorry for your loss Rochelle and Toby. I'm personally sorry too that I didn't get to know Uncle Al better, but there was an ocean between us... We did exchange emails and Face Book messages but reading the missives here I recognise that that was a poor replacement for knowing Al personally. Even at a distance I sensed a twinkle and an engaging personality. It was always evident that he was very proud of his beloved daughters. Mum (Betty) sends her love and hopes that Al is now with Sheila. Our thoughts are with you at this testing time. With love from the Jones family: Betty, Trevor, Gareth and Rebecca in England, and Katy in Australia. Late Fragment And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth. Raymond Carver - Posted by: Trevor Jones (Nephew) on: Apr 25, 2017

• I first had the pleasure of meeting Al in 1994, he actually came over to the house to help me with my computer, we hit it off immediately. Al, was literally a computer pioneer, he had a collection of vintage computers, some of them so old that they could be in museums as they had to be hand programmed with code with special paper to get them to work. Al loved to communicate with people and when the Internet was first made available for people, he jumped right in and started forging friendships with people from all walks of life. Al found it fascinating that he could instantly strike up a conversation with someone thousands and thousands of miles away in foreign Countries. He met many people this way and, and even some in person as he loved to fire up his computer and explore the world through the computer screen. Prior to this he was a ham radio guy and sometimes we would listen to the police scanner together. He or I would call and always without fail, he would say " hey!! What's happening?", with his happy, smiling voice. He also had a passion for native art and all throughout his meticulously kept home he had his collection proudly displayed, it would be hard to find wall space for anything new as he had that much, He also loved soapstone Inuit carvings. He was always on the lookout for something new, he had refined and appreciation for art, and would purchase art from all over Manitoba. Al loved the 70s and kept his original decorating of his home with his colored appliances and cool retro wallpaper and shag carpeting throughout his home. It always amazed me on the excellent condition of everything that he owned. I often spent the weekends with him and we would chill out watching movies, eat popcorn, or chicken nuggets and soda ( I did he didn't like soda) but he always made sure he had my favorite soda in his fridge, we would watch old movies ( he had a great collection) and we would giggle like schoolgirls watching movies and cracking jokes. Al always presented himself gentlemanly as our relationship was completely platonic, he was like a Dad and Brother all rolled into one amazing, and kind person. On Fridays he would take me to Juniors restaurant and buy me chili fries as it was my favorite. Al got me through a very-dark, depressed and extremely difficult period of my life with his thoughtful and loyal friendship.;I don't know what I would've done with myself had I not had him as as who he was. In 1998, I had an opportunity to submit applications to obtain work on cruise ships. Al helped me construct a 10 minute video of myself speaking, needless to say I got the job and my life was changed for ever. I nailed the job because of his input and expertise. I owe a debt of gratitude to Al for changing my life. In 20944 Al, also introduced me to a friend, a female that he had known for many years and we have been friends ever since. Rest in peace my dearest friend, one day I will see you again. - Posted by: Christine Thibeault (Old Friend ) on: Apr 24, 2017

• I am so sorry to hear of your father passing away Toby. My thoughts are with you & your family right now. - Posted by: Darlene (Friend) on: Apr 24, 2017

• My condolences on the passing of your father Rochelle. - Posted by: John Quagleini () on: Apr 24, 2017

• Deepest sympathy to the entire family ! Al and I went way back and I shall miss him . He was just a very nice man and it was an honour to be one of his friends ! - Posted by: Robert Epstein (Friend ) on: Apr 24, 2017

• I bought a new 1966 nova super sport from Al I was Young and never bought a car before and he treated me well and never took advantage of me. He was very kind and honest man. Thank you Al. - Posted by: Raymond Giesbrecht (Car buyer) on: Apr 24, 2017

• My condolences. Al was a very kind man to work with. He always wore a smile and loved his work. He often spoke of his daughters with such pride and gratitude. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Tannis (co-worker) on: Apr 24, 2017

• Deepest sympathy Rochelle, Toby and family. As a former neighbor to Al & Sheila, one couldn't ask for a nicer couple to be friends with. Your dad was so dedicated to your mother's care and then as mentioned he tried to fill her shoes as mother and being a dad. He truly loved you girls and his pal Wynn. And so well known in the area as a car salesman ......taking pride in dealing with the public. He will be deeply missed. Fran Yurkiw...Cary & Tracy (former neighbor) - Posted by: Fran Yurkiw (Former neighbor) on: Apr 24, 2017

• Cousin Allan was my hero when I was younger. He was cool before the terminology was coined. From his baby blue 1957 VW Beetle to his amazing tropical fish collection. His sense of humour was contagious and his smile high voltage. I will miss his humorous emails that he sent religiously every day until his illness came about.Cousin I am sure you will swim with big fish in heaven and find another cool vehicle to move about the clouds. - Posted by: Bernard Rasch (my cousin) on: Apr 24, 2017