In loving memory of Allan Livingstone, age 81 of Vermilion Bay, ON, who passed away on Saturday April 19, 2003 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre.
Dad was born July 28, 1921 in Barwick (Rainy River). He spent his early childhood in San Francisco, Portland & Vancouver. He returned to Kenora area in 1927. He enlisted in the army in Timmins, On. in 1939. He served in Italy and was discharged in 1945. He returned to the Kenora area where he met, courted, wooed and married Alice Grafham on August 18, 1947. The two of them moved to Vermilion Bay and Camp Robinson area where they had four children, Colleen, Curtis, Craig and Colin. The family finally settled in Kenora in the spring of 1956 where they purchased a home from Dad’s father. Dad worked for various lumber harvesting companies in Northwest On. He enjoyed working with all the “guys” in the lumber cutting industry. Frequently Dad would meet with the cutters and their families. Dad was always so respectful of everyone he met. Most of the workers were recent immigrants who often had difficulty with English. He was always very patient and always had time to hear their concerns. While he was their supervisor, he was never their boss. He could relate to everyone and made them feel important. He always had time to hear theirs stories and laugh with them. Everyone who worked for Dad seemed to have a genuine affection and respect for him. He retired many times but found retirement life too boring and quiet for him. After the children married and moved out of the home, Mom & Dad finally settled in the Perrault Falls area and eventually bought a home and moved to Vermilion Bay in 1997.
Dad had a very quick, engaging mind and was a very critical thinker. He was always up for an animated discussion or lively debate, no matter the subject or the hour of the day or night. He was especially interested in big expansive ideas, the existence of God, time and space travel and intelligent life in the universe. He loved to stay up late discussing topical issues over a lot of coffee and tea. Needless to say, his favorite subjects were politics and history. He was very well read in a lot of subjects, especially history and biographies. Usually, he did not agree with the direction of political leadership but he was always up on the issues and didn’t hesitate to declare his “fair and balanced” opinion.
Later in life, he was happiest when he was around his kids, listening and talking about past events, especially old family vacations. He would love to hear each of us tell and retell the funny and fouled up occurrences, especially when the laugh was on us. He laughed each time just as if it was the first time he heard the story. Dad believed and practiced the Golden Rule more consistently than anyone. He taught all of us a lot about how to treat people.
Dad is finally at peace in his life. Allan Livingstone is survived by his wife Alice, children Colleen Livingstone of Eagle River, Curtis Livingstone of Redwing, Minnesota and Colin Livingstone of Surrey, B.C. Grandchildren, Allan, Todd, Patricia, Amber, Sean, Shannon, Michelle and Miranda. Great grandchildren Brian, Breden and Alexandra. A Private Family Service for Allan Livingstone was held at the Dryden Community Funeral Home with Mr. John Mulders officiating. Interment of ashes at a later date. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Diabetes Association through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
