It is with incredible sadness and heavy hearts the family of Allan Gilbert Hawthorne announce his passing on Sunday, January 5, 2014 with his children at his side.
Born in Verdun, Quebec March 21, 1930 to Frances and Andrew Hawthorne, Allan grew up with three brothers and is survived by his youngest brother John of Mississauga, Ontario and Naples, Florida, sister-in-law Sara Hawthorne of London Ontario as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
At a young age Al showed a gift for building and at 16 he constructed his own dinghy sailboat hanging out on the St. Lawrence River. He travelled to the Dryden area in 1956 and began working in the St. Regis Bag Factory. He soon was hired by Saville Construction and there began his career as a carpenter, moving on to become a young Carpenter Foreman on various projects including the Atomic Energy Building in Petawawa, Ontario in 1963, the Lakefront Holiday Inn in Kenora in 1964, the #3 Recovery Building at Dryden Paper Company in 1964, Griffin Mine in 1966, Canada Safeway and the Trans Canada Pipeline in Dryden in 1970 and the New Dryden Mill Reed Paper from 1979 to 1982 to mention just a few.
Al fell in love with Loretta Wice and they soon moved into their home on Richan Road and built a camp on Thaddeus Lake where they raised their family. In 1970 Al met and married Aura Davidson. In their life together on the Richan Road countryside and at the camp at Thaddeus they enjoyed family and friends, outdoor life including hunting, fishing, sailing gardening, berry picking, minnow trapping and their border collies Max and Beau.
Al is survived by his children: Ronald, Brenda Miller (Murray), Sandy Chambers (Kelly), his step-children: Ken Davidson (Roma), Patricia Haverluck (Blake), Donald Davidson (Gloria), Lynn Smyth, Kathy Carruthers (Wayne) and Joanna Tanner (Mark). He was very proud of his grandchildren: William (Jesse) and Darren (Vero), Curtis, Kyle and Rebecca, step grandchildren: Kristine, Allen, Suzanne, Laurie, Michelle and Christopher, Kim and John Allen, Vanessa and Mathew, Kori and Nyla, David and Jessie, and Debra and Deanna.
He was predeceased by his dearly beloved wife Aura, his brothers Richard and Bob, his parents and step-son Richard Davidson.
We would like to thank all the staff of the Dryden Regional Health Center for their excellent care of Dad, especially Dr’s Viherjoki and Whittaker.
As per Dad’s wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held at the cottage on Thaddeus Lake at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Second Chance Pet Network or the Ontario Lung Association through Stevens Funeral Home P.O. Box 412 Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca
