Wednesday, January 28, 2026
My deepest condolences to Lydia, Chelsea, and the rest of Allan’s family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
I got to know Allan and Joanne years ago when I worked at the Great Canadian Bagel. They came in several times a week for coffee and a good roundtable gossip feast with Melva and the rest of the gang. It was truly a sitcom waiting to happen. We all had a story to tell—whether it was true or not—and everyone got their say. Allan would usually shake his head and correct us, because he almost always knew the real facts (lol).
Over the years, Allan and Joanne became dear friends, and we were lucky enough to watch Lydia grow up. I feel so fortunate to have been part of those moments. They were both very special people.
After I left the bagel and started working at Shoppers Drug Mart, Allan would still stop in to check up on me, get the latest scoop, and keep me updated on his life—whether things were good or bad. I was able to see him the Sunday before he passed, and I’m grateful I got one last “scoop.”
You will be truly missed, Allan. Thank you for keeping us all straight over the years on the gossip wheel—we wouldn’t want to be spreading anything we shouldn’t have been.
Benita MacConnell
