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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
SUTHERLAND, Alan Hugh - “I hope to see my Pilot face to face, When I have crossed the bar”
Lt. Cmdr RCN (Ret)-formerly of Thunder Bay, North Vancouver and Penticton, passed peacefully in Calgary at the Southwood Hospice after a courageous last fight. Predeceased by his parents Maxwell (Max) and Irene Sutherland of 116 Marks St, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Survived by his loving wife of over 70 years, Ruth Dorothy (Irwin), his son, John Alan (Calgary) and his wife, Bridgett; Grandchildren Julie (London) Dave and Craig (Calgary) Shauni and their mother Susan (Craig), Arran and Zoie (Calgary), Kanesha (Calgary) Branson, Nisa (Calgary), Tia Taylor (Calgary) and Great Grandchildren Liam, Shyla, and Raiden (Calgary) and Maya (London). Also survived by his sister, Maxine and niece Barbara (Allan) and nephew Terry (Mead) Margaret as well as his wife Ruth’s nieces and nephews, all of Thunder Bay, Joan (Dave), Jock (Mary), James, Judy and Jeffrey.
Alan attended Fort William Collegiate prior to joining the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve in 1938 whereupon in 1939 he was posted as ordinary seaman (yeoman of signals) to the West Coast at the outbreak of war. He moved up through the ranks while doing convoy duty in the North Atlantic. Alan was honourably discharged at war’s end with the rank of Sub Lt. He returned to civilian life in Thunder Bay working for Western Grain and Edible Oils. He re-enlisted as Lt. in 1949 in the RCN to serve during the Korean War in the Pacific and with NATO leaving the forces in 1954 as Lt. Cmdr. Alan worked for Diversey as sales manager at the Lakehead before his transfer to the West Coast in 1958 where he resided in North Vancouver. He later joined Van Waters and Rogers Chemicals in Vancouver (Wood Treating division) and covered all of the BC Forest Industry.
After retirement he and Ruth moved to Sandbridge Community in Penticton, B.C. in 1993. He was a landscape painter, loved to carve wood decoys, an avid fisherman, a 10 pin bowler, a swimmer and a bike rider. His illness led to his move to Calgary in June of this year.
The Family wishes to thank all the staff and Doctors of the Kelowna Cancer Clinic and the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic, Calgary especially the 4th floor Palliative Care, the dedicated nurses and Doctors of the Palliative Home Care Program in Calgary, the staff of Rexall Pharmacy On Call, the Mobile Lab and the staff of the Southwood Hospice for their kindness toward Alan.
A Memorial Tribute to Alan’s life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion 264 Branch, 1910 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 12:00 noon. (South Calgary Funeral Centre and Crematorium)
Ships served in: HMCS ALGONQUIN - Appointed to ALGONQUIN 25 Feb 1953 (Navy List Jul 1953)
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