Richard Brian (R.B.) Edwin Allen, born June 23, 1920 and passed away peacefully in his 91st year on December 8th at his Pinecrest Home residence in Kenora, lovingly surrounded by his family after a short illness. He was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Lilly Allen, his loving wife of 58 years Margaret Jean Allen (nee McGillivray), his only sister Sheila and brother-in-law Robert Kilpatrick and his grandson Jeffrey Allen.
Dad will be sorely missed by his 5 children-Barbara(Arthur) Peters of Kenora, Richard(Katharine)Allen of Dryden, Linda (Pierre)Beaulieu of St. Albert, AB, Raymond(Jill) Allen & Beverly(Charles)Ollenberger, both of Kenora. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Michael(Tammy), Murray and Andrew Peters, Jennifer Allen, Denis(Julie) & Rene Beaulieu and Dwight Allen, great grandchildren Sawyer, Brooklyn, Carter & Cade Peters, Kylie and Ryan Beaulieu as well as brother in law and sister in law Gordon & Jane McGillivray of Vancouver, several nephews and numerous special friends.
R.B. as he preferred to be called was born, raised and attended school in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He started coming to Kenora to fish and later guide at Cardinal’s Tourist Camp at Willard Lake where he developed a love for the area and later on in life was able to own a cottage on the lake there. He began working in Kenora at various jobs and soon after enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in 1941 to serve his country during WW2. He was attached to a transport section and later as a driver with the 24th Field Ambulance serving overseas in England, Italy and Holland. After arriving home in January 1946 he soon met the love of his life, Margaret McGillivray who would later become his wife on October 23, 1948 and mother to their five children. Brian started working with the Kenora Post Office after the war and worked his way up from letter carrier to assistant postmaster and eventually postmaster in Sioux Lookout where he moved to in 1963 until his retirement from the Federal Service in 1974. While there he volunteered with the militia and teaching cadets in his spare time as well as enjoying time at their cottage on Abram Lake. After retirement he moved his family back to their home on Rabbit Lake where he spent many happy years and continued to work part time jobs to keep busy. Brian and Margaret enjoyed exploring the lakes and back roads around the local area, camping with their family and growing a garden in the summertime. In 2002 they moved into an apt at the Gardner Block and in 2005 into Pinecrest. After Mom passed away Dad became involved with the local dragon tamers team and was named an honorary volunteer. He truly was happiest when watching them practice and attending their various fund raising & awareness activities. He enjoyed his excursions out for lunches with his many friends, riding the bicycle at the Rec. Centre, stopping in at the Senior’s Centre, afternoons at his trailer at Hidden Trail Resort and visiting family. He made many close friends with the staff at Pinecrest as well and liked to have coffee with them. It was there that he learned to play shuffle board and through his love of the game, donated a new table for the residents to enjoy. Brian’s greatest achievement was his fierce independence and ability to drive his own vehicle until just recently. In 2010 he celebrated his 90th birthday and felt like he had achieved a goal to live that long. He thought everyone else around him was old but not himself! Brian was a very generous man and supported many charities. He was a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters and a 60+ member of the Royal Canadian Legion Kenora Branch 12.
Final arrangements will be handled by Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Centre. A service of remembrance will be held in the auditorium at Pinecrest Home on Thursday December 15th at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. R. Wittmeier presiding with a luncheon to follow the service. Donations if so desired may be made to the Kenora Dragon Tamers, Pinecrest Auxiliary or a charity of one’s choice.
