AL HODGSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

AL HODGSON July 25, 1940 - January 30, 2000 Al was born John Allan Hodgson in July of 1940, the first-born of Thomas Rupert Hodgson and Kathleen Helen Hodgson (nee Boulton). His father managed a nursery and Al often wondered if his love of the land came from his father. His mother was a teacher. Al grew up in Winnipeg, graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1962 with a BSc in Geology and later with an MA in Geomorphology. His university summers were spent with the Geological Survey of Canada working with survey crews in northern Manitoba, Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories. These summers were some of his fondest memories and contained many stories. He worked for the Manitoba Department of Renewable Resources in numerous positions entailing land acquisition, inventory and analysis until 1979 when he moved to the Yukon. He then served as the Co-ordinator of the resource inventory program until 1985, at which time he continued as a consultant while pursuing the next facet of his life. The farm on Little Atlin Lake was immensely important to him and it enabled him to live out his lifes philosophy. In 1986 he met Margaret Ames, whom he married, and together they developed the property and spent winters travelling and working throughout Central and South America. Later, when his son Brenden arrived, the three of them continued to travel and to live on the farm up until his death. During the last four and a half years, he fought a ferocious battle with failing health, enlisting both conventional and alternative treatments. He never lost heart and kept his optimistic spirit until the end. His suffering has ended, and for that we are grateful, but the loss of his presence is immense and leaves us with a deep loneliness. Al is survived by his wife Margaret; son Brenden; daughter Liana (Mark, Sophia) of England; son Glen (Christine, Andrew, David) of Ottawa and son Randy (Jan, Chris, Amanda) of Winnipeg; also by his brother Brian (Nancy, Tom, Meg, Steven) sister Rosemary (Bob, Cam, Corry) great aunt Lorine, all of Winnipeg, and former wife Judi (Camil) of Victoria; as well as many friends and relatives. He will be remembered for his love of life, his gentle smile and his keen intellect and exploring mind. As per his wishes, he will be laid to rest on his farm at Little Atlin Lake, the land he loved best. Should you wish to make a donation in his name, you may do so to the Yukon Development Education Centre (YDEC), Box 5722, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5L5. This will go towards an agriculturally-related project in the developing world. A celebration of Als life will be held at Mount McIntyre on Sunday, March 19th at 1:00 p.m. We would welcome anyone wishing to share their memories of Al at this time.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 18, 2000