ALAN LIVINGSTONE CROSSIN

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ALAN LIVINGSTONE CROSSIN
August 3, 1929 – December 9, 2019

Alan Livingstone Crossin passed away peacefully at 90 years of age, with family by his side, on December 9, 2019 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, 525 Wardlaw Avenue on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Interment is to occur in the Crossin family plot, in the Saint John's Cathedral Cemetery next spring.

NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com

Publish Date: Dec 21, 2019

ALAN LIVINGSTONE CROSSIN
August 3, 1929 – December 9, 2019

Alan Livingstone Crossin passed away peacefully, at 90 years of age, with family by his side, on December 9, 2019 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.
Alan was born in Winnipeg on August 3, 1929, the only son of the late Albert Livingstone Crossin and Constance Margaret Clare Crossin (nee MacLennan).
He is survived by his wife of 62 years Doris Anne (nee Baragar); his sons, Charles Sandford of Vancouver and Henry William (Catherine) of Brandon; and grandsons, Riley and Calder, of Brandon. He was a younger brother to Albert Porteous (May, nee Congdon); Marjorie Ruth; Harold (Con, nee Bousfield); and Hilda, all of whom were offspring of his father's first marriage to Marion (Minnie) Porteous, who predeceased Alan. This branch of the family produced beloved nieces and nephews close in age to Alan, and he remained connected with them throughout his life.
Educated at Grosvenor and Robert H. Smith Schools and the Collegiate Division of United College, Alan graduated from United College with a Bachelor of Arts (1950). He was a Fellow of both the Canadian Bankers Association and the Insurance Institute of Canada. Alan was employed with the Bank of Montreal (eastern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwest Ontario), Canadian Indemnity Insurance (Winnipeg), Gerling Global Insurance (Vancouver) and St. James Insurance Service Ltd. from which he retired, as owner and President, in 1999, staying in Winnipeg.
In addition to the people he met through school and in his banking and insurance underwriting careers, Alan made life long friends with people through the following United Church of Canada congregations: Augustine, St. Andrew's River Heights, Fort Garry and Crescent Fort Rouge (all in Winnipeg) and Canadian Memorial (Vancouver). Early participation in the Black Square youth group at St. Andrew's preceded future involvement with finance and other committees in these faith communities, as well as with the Committee of Trustees at Crescent Fort Rouge.
In addition to being a member of the Outlook Club and a life member of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan AF & AM, Alan was a long time champion of Manitoba history and joined the Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) in about 1949. Over the years, he served on many MHS committees and its executive and contributed to the development and sustainment of Dalnavert Museum. Alan was MHS President from 1978 to 1980 and subsequently chaired the Trust Endowment Fund. Keenly interested in Canadian railway history, he served as the first President of the Vintage Locomotive Society. The society spearheaded the preservation of Engine No. 3, which continues to pull the Prairie Dog Central vintage train for summer excursions between Winnipeg and Grosse Isle. In 1992, Alan received the MHS Douglas Kemp Award in recognition of his service in the promotion and preservation of Manitoba's heritage.
Throughout his life, Alan loved the recreational opportunities afforded to Winnipeggers in nearby resort areas including Lake Winnipeg, Whiteshell Provincial Park and Lake of the Woods. With D.A. Patterson, he co-authored the book Next Stop, Winnitoba! (1971), which recounted the history of the Florence Lake and Nora Lake cottage communities along the CNR. In 1973, this publication received an Honourable Mention in the MHS Margaret McWilliams Awards. Since 1981 he spent his summers on Channel Island on Lake of the Woods where he continued to paddle his meticulously maintained Chestnut Canvas canoe into his late eighties.
Alan's family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the devoted team of paramedical caregivers and medical staff at the Grace Hospital, who provided such compassionate care to him.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, 525 Wardlaw Ave., on December 28, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Interment is to occur in the Crossin family plot in the Saint John's Cathedral Cemetery next spring.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Alan's memory to the Crescent Fort Rouge United Church Endowment Fund (c/o 525 Wardlaw Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0L9); to Dalnavert Museum; through the Winnipeg Foundation (http://www.friendsofdalnavert.ca/donate-1); or to a charity of your choice.

NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com

Publish Date: Dec 14, 2019

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2019, Dec 21, 2019