Alan Van Norman Macmillen
October 19, 1922 - March 4, 2009
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband, father and brother. Alan was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and after serving in the R.C.A.F during World War II, he pursued a variety of occupations in a number of places before settling on his true calling as a teacher, at which he excelled, and as an administrator in the British Columbia and Yukon public school systems.
He earned a B.A from U.B.C and a Masters in Education from the University of Western Washington and he lived and taught in Telkwa before moving to 100 Mile House as the first principal of the Secondary School and where he was very involved in the incorporation of the village as a municipality. He returned to the Bulkley Valley as Superintendent in 1977 and retired in 1984. He was also the first Principal of Collumneetza Senior Secondary School in Williams Lake. He moved to Powell River in 1994 where he lived until his death. The longest time he had ever lived in one place.
Alan was a keen sportsman with a passion for golf, skiing, tennis, badminton and squash, in the latter being a wily player who frustrated his younger and faster opponents with his tactics. He loved flying and piloted his own plane for a number of years. His competitive spirit was balanced by a quick wit and sense of humour. He was an old fashioned gallant gentleman with no trace of chauvinism and he strove to be completely fair, living his life in accordance with his own high standards of morality and integrity. He will be greatly missed.
Alan was predeceased by his son Ross and his daughter Colleen and he is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jenny, his children Mavis, Lynn, Steven, Sheila, Kevin, Shawn, Rebecca and Fred, his sister Enid Ion, eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A wake for family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. on April 11, 2009 in Powell River at a venue to be announced.
No flowers please, but donations to the Cat Scan Fund in Powell River would be appreciated.
Our thanks to all those involved in the care of Alan and support of his family during his last illness.