It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of
Alpin (Al) Huestis
Allen, age 85, husband, father, and
"Papa". He left us in the early hours of the morning
surrounded by family and the compassionate medical staff and
paramedics at Cumberland Regional Health Care Center, on May 21,
2015.
He was the son of the late Hazel Allen
and the late Charles Allen.
Al went to
Dalhousie University and earned an honours degree in pharmacy. He
began his career in Halifax, moving his family to Springhill in the
summer of 1968. Over the next several years he worked at Wardropes
Pharmacy with his brother Lawrence, and at Good Neighbour Drug Mart,
Amherst. In 1987 he, along with Simpson Rushton, bought Wardropes and
Henleys (Oxford) Pharmacies. Although he enjoyed meeting and greeting
people each day, he decided to retire in 1997 to spend time with his
wife traveling around the country in their travel trailer.
Al's greatest passion was his love of music. He was
very proud of the fact that he owned and could play 27 stringed
instruments. One of the highlights of his musical career was
representing Nova Scotia at Expo '67 playing Blue Grass music. He was
a valued member of the St Andrew's Wesley United Church Choir and sang
with the choir for many years. He enjoyed barbershop harmony and
especially enjoyed singing around the kitchen table with his
family.
Al is survived by his loving wife of 61
years, Bertha; his four daughters, Brenda (Harold ) Delaney, Linda
(Chris) Moreau, Kathy Reynolds (Barry Rushton), and Donna (Tim) Lees;
eleven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and many special
nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by two
brothers, Russel (Shirley), Lawrence (Garrity) and two sisters,
Carolyn (Peter) Choo, and Shirley (Ron) Weaver. He also leaves behind
two half-brothers James and Kenneth and a half-sister Jacquline.
Al was predeased by his parents, sisters Barbara and
Jean, grandson Ronald Reynolds, one half-brother Charles Alexander and
two half-sisters Patricia and Dorothy Anne.
Arrangements are under the care and supervision of A.H. Brown
Funeral Home, 5 McFarlane Street, Springhill (902-597-2361) from where
a time of visitation will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015 from 6-8
pm and on Sunday from 2 pm until the time of the funeral at 3 pm.
Burial will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. Rev. Wayne McCarther
officiating.
In lieu of flowers, honouring
Al's wishes, donations may be made to St Andrew's Wesley United
Church, Springhill, or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Al's online
memorial at www.brownsfuneralhome.com or
through the funeral home Facebook page.