Just Al

Thank you all for coming today to celebrate the life of Al MacLean or ‘Al Complain’ as he was sometimes known as. He was Alistair to his Mom Marg,  Ally-oop to his Dad  Smitty, Uncle Al to his natural nieces and nephews and other children who attached themselves to him. Mostly he was “Just Al” to the rest of us.

Al was a huge and great part of our family, in the middle of the pack of older brothers Ray and Ron, and younger sisters Karen and Kathryn. We had a great time growing up with lots of adventures. Al with his great sense of humour always kept us entertained.

Al loved to read, I can’t even imagine how many books he would have read in his lifetime. Al also loved to watch movies, especially old westerns and war movies. He could read the paper all day and was very well versed on world events and politics. Al loved the company of people, at least for a little while. He knew when he had had enough of them or us of him, in which case he would quietly sneak away for some peace and quiet, or drift off in a comfortable place.

Material things never mattered too much to Al. He loved his simple life on the farm, sitting on the front porch with one or many of his friends or his pets, Blue, Ginny, Lotto (well not so much Lotto that dog was a little whacky), and lastly his good friend Ranger. The cats Clumper and Molly hung around for many years as well.

Al spent his last day on November 11, 2014, the most perfect autumn day in a long time, walking downtown to pick up his poker lottery ticket (that didn’t win, sorry Al) and likely kibitzing with all the local shop keepers and random people he would pass on the street. The afternoon was spent with friends having a couple of beers and likely laughing his big hearty laugh.

Al loved us all as we loved him. I guess he just decided he had enough of us! Just kidding.

Sleep well Al and wake up refreshed and happy without pain or complaints.

Everyone please share your stories of Al. He would really enjoy and appreciate it.

Thank you ladies of the Rebekah Lodge for putting on the delicious lunch for us to enjoy.