Alan struggled for almost a month to overcome the results of an October 5th brain hemorrhage. He died peacefully November 1, 2009 with his dear wife Pam present. He also leaves two much loved children, Peter, aged eleven, and Julia, almost seven. He has predeceased his mother and father, Doris and Dick Creech; his mother-in-law Sheila Tolman (Al); and father-in-law Elmer Thiessen; his sister Jill Charlton (Mark); and brothers Richard (Pauline), Edward (Barbara), and Cameron (Jennifer); brothers-in-law Doug Thiessen (Lori) and Brad Thiessen (Christina) together with many well-loved nieces and nephews. He was born April 9, 1966 in Ottawa, Ontario and attended Carleton University. His love of the outdoors drew him to the University of Victoria when he realised the potential of year round canoeing and camping on Vancouver Island. Subsequently, he gained his MBA at Royal Roads University. He earned a commission with the Canadian Artillery Reserves where he particularly developed his leadership and instruction skills. During his time with the Artillery, he also made close bonds of affection and respect with two best friends, Scott Wisdahl and Troy De Souza. Later, as his son grew, he transferred some of his interest to Scouting leadership. He responded to the Call of the Coast and, amongst other difficult trails along the West Coast forest and beaches, he has completed the West Coast Trail nine times in the past fifteen years, the latest just this past August with his son, his sister, and a nephew from Ottawa. He was generous with affection, drive, and help for his friends, and will be sorely missed. Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 4:30pm at the Bay Street Armoury. Entrance and parking on Field Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Scouts Canada (to be used by the 5th JDF Scouts), 2678 Silverstone Way, Victoria, BC V9B 6A6.
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Gina W
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Peter Creech Thank you. I still read everyone’s comments every year. They mean so much to me being able to read about how my dad was able to touch so many people, it truly amazes me.
To whoever is just reading this for the first time or just finding out, don’t be afraid to comment becasue I do still read this.
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Jen Till Dear Pam,
I don’t know if you still check for messages here. I only just learned of Alan’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you & your family.
Sincerely
Jen
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Murray Rice I am so sad to hear of Alan’s passing. I enjoyed many good times with Alan growing up in Kanata. I pray that God will comfort you in the days ahead.
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Chris Bentham I am saddened to hear of the passing of Alan. I have many fond memories growing up in Kanata with Alan, Kevin Joel, Michael and Robert. Good Bless.
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Robin Ahamedi (nee de Graaf) I can hardly express the sadness I felt when I heard that Alan had passed away. There are some things you think of as eternal and the friends you make in your childhood are assumed to continue to exist although we are all growing older. I first met Alan in Mrs. Eltis’s grade 4 class. I wasn’t overly impressed at the time given that he was a “boy”! However, 5 years of homeroom with him in high school as well as numerous camping, cottage, and high school trips all combined to change my opinion. Alan was a warm, caring person who always considered how other people felt. He was laid back and his sense of humour got me through many days at the Earl. I have never been able to hear a Doors song without thinking of him because he was constantly singing the lyrics.
Pam,
I’m sorry that I never had the oppurtunity to meet you. Alan talked to me about you when he and Scott came through Toronto on their motorcycle trip. He was so happy so I know you must be a special person. I am sending my heartfelt condolences to you and your children as well as to Mr. and Mrs. Creech.Robin Ahamedi (nee de Graaf)
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Melissa Johnson Alan was a high school friend of mine. He was the one that I could count on to join me in adventure. It was Alan who scraped me off the road after my bike tire got caught in the railway tracks near Dunrobin. It was Alan who joined me the day that – inspired by Bill Mason’s then recently released Waterwalker – I wanted to go canoeing before the season ended. We enjoyed a late November day on the Clyde River, with snow on the ground to either side of us and ice on the calm water. Alan was also the source of trouble at my family dinner table, as I innocently brought home one of the expressions he had picked up while “playing army”!
We did not stay in touch despite a few efforts on both sides. I thought that there was time – next year, or the next. I knew of Alan’s passion for his wife, his children – whom I never met – and for scouting and the outdoors. I know how they must all miss his great good humour, his playful spirit, his solid presence. Alan was a great buddy. I am so sad that his time ran out so soon.
Melissa Johnson
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Kevin Melnyk Joel Fortune and I were childhood best friends with Alan. We wrote the following speech for his memorial service:
Alan Creech – reflections by Joel (Fortune) and Kevin (Melnyk)We grew up in Kanata, Ontario, Alan lived on the corner of Varley and Milne in a long bungalow with dark wood siding, a cedar hedge in the back and a goldfish pond. There were kids all over the place: Benthams, Luckmans, and Shearons, to name a few, and also Fortunes and Melnyks, all within close walking distance.
When we first met Alan in our early school days (K/Grade 1), Kanata was a 1970s suburb, surrounded by forest, swamp and fields. Once we got freedom and our own bikes – our territory reached for several mile, as far as Richardson’s Side Road Hill to the West to Corkstown Road to the East and all places in between – except the bike path tunnel beside Al’s house under the road that was a hangout for the only thing we were careful to avoid: teenagers. We had the word’s greatest tobogganing hill (East of Toronto) right across from Alan’s house; where we all attempted to make the worlds longest toboggan jump over a flowing creek, sometimes with success, sometimes forcing a quick trip home to avoid hypothermia.
We were blessed as kids to grow up in a mostly safe place that we were free to explore with not too attentive parents to watch out for us. We had thousands of adventures and got up to the kind of mischief that we shouldn’t have, like seeing how many times you can wind a cassette tape around the Varley apartments (about one and a half) or how far you can walk up a storm culvert until your nerve runs out (pretty far, actually, but then it gets too small to go any further). These were the days when Alan first developed his passion for things military; we hollowed out the spaces between the back yard cedar hedge rows and made a “secret trail” to allow quick, hidden access around the neighbourhood. We knew how to get on top of every school roof, and had well planned escape routes if the authorities showed up. As we got more sophisticated, fire works, imported from Florida, were employed with great effect to give our more troublesome neighbours a well deserved “what for”. Let me be clear; we did not damage anything, or hurt anyone, that was not our style, but we certainly tested our boundaries, and our skills.
Alan was easily the most polite kid around. This probably helped us to get our freedom – after all what harm could a guy who always remembered his “pleases and thank yous” get up to? No real harm, in truth. Even as a young kid Alan took the Golden Rule to heart: treat others as you would be treated. He easily had the strongest moral or ethical sense of all of us kids, although when you’re ten you don’t think about it in those terms. For example, in Grade 3, Mrs. Stanley took issue with Alan’s smile, really a grin designed to let her know she had crossed the line on some issue, and Alan would have none of it. Alan persisted, and earned a detention (maybe even a suspension), but he refused to bow to a dictator in the wrong (Alan could also be a little stubborn at times!). My guess is some of you in this room, like me, have been on the other end of this smile!
More recently when Alan was telling Joel about his adventures with the supposed “in and out” election spending problems. Alan really knew instinctively what was right and what was wrong and he wasn’t then, or more recently, going to be pushed into doing something against his principles.
We have been reflecting about our childhood and want to leave you with some things that we know Alan really loved when he was a kid, or that stand out as a shared memory:1. There’s a spot at Calabogie Lake (where the family had a cottage in Ontario) below the hydro dam where the Canadian Shield is exposed and the river that feeds the lake collects into pools. There is one of those pools that has a bit of a rocky water slide before it, and its probably about 6 feet deep in the middle. Alan loved that spot.
2. We also remember that on the way to the cottage the Creech family car was never able to pass the DQ in Arnprior without stopping for a visit; although as we grew older we began to suspect there was nothing wrong with the car, it was Mr. Creech who was in control.
3. Alan really enjoyed his sister’s record collection that he somehow got a hold of when we were 9 or 10. There was a Beatles 45 with the Apple records label (probably a collectors’ item now if we hadn’t played it to death), and a Rolling Stones one with “Get off of My Cloud”. (I sure hope this is not the first time Jill is learning of all this). We also liked The Beach Boys, Styx, and The Steve Miller Band.
4. Games – when he was young Alan loved Pay Day, Risk, pool, and ping pong. Alan was good at ping pong, it was frustrating to play against him as he repeatedly drilled the ball past you, or most annoyingly in to you.
5. One day, in Gagetown (Artillery Officer training), Alan called several people in to his room, one at a time, to look through his binoculars at some “female targets” who were walking in and out of the base recreation complex. He had painted black shoe polish on the eye pieces; the victims of his prank walked away looking like racoons.
6. In roughly 1992 Alan and a friend (Scott) rode their motorcycles all the way down to LA, where we lived. He wanted to visit us, and he also wanted to ride his bike through Hell Valley in California “because it was cool” (Hell Valley gets up to 140 F)
7. Killer whales – this was before they become orcas – killer whales “fired his imagination”, as the song says. It was clear where Alan was headed when he got the chance to pick where he would live.
8. 25 years after leaving Kanata Alan made a point of visiting friends, and their families, whenever he was back in town. He was a good man and he always made time for friends and family.
We all loved Alan, he was an important part of our lives when we were growing up. He is a part of who we are today; having Alan as a friend made us better people.
I know the purpose of this ceremony is to celebrate Alan’s life, but we have some messages we would like to share with Alan’s family.
To Mr. and Mrs. Creech, and to Jill, Rich, Ted, Cam, and their families, we would like to say we cannot imagine the pain and sorrow of burying a child and a younger brother. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
To Pam, Peter, and Julia, it is not possible to find words that could provide meaningful consolation to you in such circumstances. We can only pray, with all our hearts, that with time, The Love of God, which is clearly present in all of these good people here today, will prevail over hurt and sorrow, and through His Grace, you will find the Peace you long for, and deserve.
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Kim Swarts Dear Pam, Peter and Julia,
I was so very sorry to hear about your loss.
Ted and I both enjoyed our camping trip this past summer and getting to know your family.
It was apparent what a wonderful involved family man Al was and I know this will be a terrible loss for all of you.
The strongest memory I have of Al is of his finding Tristan the night he got lost, calling to me that he was found and placing him in my arms… I will always be grateful to him.
You are in our thoughts,
Ted, Kim and Tristan Swarts
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Shelley Peever Dear Pam, Julia, Peter and the Creech family:
I am so sorry for your loss of Al. I will always remain inspired by Al’s positive attitude, and I will be thinking of all of you.
Shelley
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Brian and Pat Jenkins We became bus buddies with Al on the 57x and spent many hours on our rides to / from work telling stories and having many laughs. Al “tried” to read on the bus but often ended up falling asleep with the book perched on his belly! Even though we never met, we feel as if we know you because of the many stories Al told of you all. It was very apparent how much he loved his children as his face glowed as he spoke of them. We are truly sorry for your loss, but hope that your special memories will bring smiles to your faces and help you start to heal.
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Denise Neigel Dear Pam, Julia, Peter, and the Creech Family,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Alan was a wonderful man, he helped me in so many ways and was instruemental in making me feel apart and connected to the team that I work with. He will be sorely missed.
My deepest sympathies go out to you all at this most difficult time as well my prayers that you find some peace and comfort in the support of those around you.
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Ron Battiston My sincere condolences on Allan’s passing. We worked at the Office of the Comptroller General and he was just a great guy! Everyone liked him and he was the type of person that made a work group a happy place to be. One can never make any sense of why things like this happen -it is one of the mysteries of life. It has been many years since we have worked together but I still remember Allan’s million dollar smile. A bit mischievous perhaps. A friendly smile. And lots of energy and ability. I hope the many many happy memories will sustain you in the future. Allan would have wanted it that way!
ron battiston – a friend
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Malcolm and Yasmin Zoraik Dear Pam and Family,
We will always fondly remember Alan for his kindness, humor and his contagious enthusiasm. We met him through Troy and saw Alan at camping and at some of Troy’s gatherings. We wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Please accept our deepest condolences.
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Michael Poplawski I’m sorry to have lost one of the best friends I have ever had. No small part of my view of the world, and approach to life, was formed with Alan’s influence and I will continue to live my life inspired by him.
For a few years, Alan and I worked and played together. I’m grateful that he invited me to join him for activities like hiking the West Coast Trail and going to Mt. Washington to ski, things I may never have done without his belief in me. He was generous with his time when I needed practice learning to drive. He was a game competitor playing poker and hockey. He also appreciated my sense of humour like nobody else. I often remember little things that came up in our many conversations and always will.
My sincerest condolences go to Pam, Peter and Julia, and Alan’s closest friends who have had to experience the shock of losing such an integral part of their lives, and who now must find the strength to continue. Alan is now gone but I believe what he represented remains in us.
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Hy Freedman It is unjust that Alan was taken from us so early, so tragically. If I could comfort you and console you I would, but the only thing I could do is remember my relationship and times spent with Alan, and share that with you.
I am much older than Alan, but Alan never treated me as the old guy, I was always one of his buds in spite of our ages.
Alan hired me to work at the OCG. He taught me more about government accounting than anyone else, me the accountant! He taught me about the real “bottom lines”, about the “real” impacts of our work, about the the “real public service”, about politics, books, and economics.
Later when we worked in different places, he was always the one to ensure our friendship continued, with our special lunches, when he would gently and effectively prod me about any difficulties I was having, always putting on the happier outlook, always the glass half full.
Although lately our lunches did’nt happen as often as before, we both tried to keep in touch, and when we did, we could reconnect quickly and solidly.
I will miss Alan terribly and will always remember him, with that large grin of his, his humour, kindness, and his “life is good”!!
My condolences to you, the children and family.
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Lisa Ziebarth Jen and Cam,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart just breaks for you and Cam. I can’t even imagine how difficult this must be for the two of you. I know you will have the strength and love to get throught this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers will be with you while you are gone out West.
Lots of Love,
Lisa
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Pauline East Dear Pam
I am thinking of you in this time of sorrow. May the love of friends and family be a source of comfort to you. I hope you will be strong to return to your feaching in the next while. You are such a wonderful asset.
Al was a life so important to so many.
With deepest sympathyPauline East
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Keith Fraser Dear Pam- Pat and I are so sorry to learn of your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this incredibly difficult time.
Keith Fraser
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David & Heather Ramalho Pam, Peter, Julia
and the Creech family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are so very sorry for your loss. Al will be missed for so many reason’s but what stands out most in our minds is what a wonderful father he was, our granddaughter only briefly got to be enveloped in his love and compassion, and he has left lasting memories with her, and all of us.
The school in which Peter and Julia attend has set up a trust fund to help out their family, you can go to any Coast Capital Savings and say the Creech Family trust…I am sure your help would be greatly appreciated at this very difficult time.
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Joe and Jacqueline (Patterson) Franceschini Dear Doris and family,
Today I was shown the obituary for your son and felt I must send along Joe’s and my most sincere condolences to you and your family. It is sad when one of our children passes on before we do.
Remember all the good times you shared. I recall that you and Dick took all of your family to Hawaii on your 50th anniversary. That will be a nice memory for you.
Hope you are both well. Joe and I are doing fine.
Sincerely, Jacqueline.
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Diane & Ken Clarkson We, too, will miss Al, as will all the people his life touched, at work, in Scouting, everywhere. He certainly brought much energy to life and was an inspiration with his joie de vivre and his caring for others. We are all stronger for having known him.
Our heartfelt condolences to you all, Julia, Peter, Pam and the extended families.
— Ken & Diane, Kyliah, Cameron & Ambrya Clarkson
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Joyce Thiessen Dearest Pam:
Uncle Bill and I are deeply sorry for your the loss of your best friend.
Words cannot express our deepest thoughts and sorrows at this time.
We do regret that the families from Vernon, will not be in attendance, but our thoughts and prayers go out to the three of you.
Pam allow the children to be your strength as you have been their strength.Love and Prayers
Uncle Bill & Aunt Joyce
Michael & Chantele & Austin
Crystal & Dan
Michelle & Nick.
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Joelle & David Russell To The Creech Family,
We are so deeply sorry to hear of Alan passing away. Please know that our caring thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with you all in this difficult time.
Joelle and Dave
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Sara Creech Auntie Pam, Peter, Julia
I think about you every day. I pray for you guys constantly and miss uncle Al so much. Even though hes gone you guys do have one special Angel looking down on you every minute of every day. I love and miss you guys and my prayers are with you.
Miss you uncle Al.
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Pennington & Barbara Han Dearest Doris & Dick,
We are utterly shocked & devastated by this news. Words do not convey our heartfelt sadness for your loss. May you find strength and comfort in your faith. Thank you for letting us know of this tragic event. Our prayers are for your entire family.
Lovingly,
Penny & Barbara
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Sandy & Paul Martin Pam, words cannot express the sadness I am feeling right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during the difficult time.
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Sandy & Paul Martin Pam and family our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this very difficult time. {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
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Janet Bruce Dear Jill –
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear brother Al. I know how much he meant to you and how much yur loved him. Please pass my condolences on to Pam, his children and your family.
Love Janet
New Zealand
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Randy Stewart I knew Al in the 30th Fd in Ottawa and later in the 5th Fd RCA here in Victoria. We hit it off as we both grew up in Ottawa and shared the same warped sense of humour. Al, Chris Donald and I had some good laughs together over the years in the field at the OP and on the guns. I was in Tokyo when a friend passed the news to me that Al was in hospital. I was hoping to get in and see him on my return. We bumped into each other periodically over the years, but work and family kept me preoccupied. Al was a great guy and I will cherish my memories of our times together. My heart goes out to his family, who like many of us will miss his unique spirit. Al, on to the next adventure my friend, ubique!
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Kirsten Stevens How very sorry I was to learn of Alan’s passing. So many years ago, he was my first childhood crush and I always remembered him with great adoration. Not so long ago, we found each other on Facebook, and he spoke with such glowing pride and love of wife Pam, and children Julia and Peter. My deepest sympathies to you all.
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Joan South Doris and Dick: So very sorry to read the notice of your son’s death, such a loss to all. You are very much in my thoughts. oan South
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dan korolyk I knew al through the militia when we served together,he was a good natured,happy person who was a pleasure to be around.he was a good man.I`m very sorry for your loss.
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Linda Giles Pam and Family,
I am so very sorry and sad to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this very difficult time. Even though we have just met I want you to know we are thinking of you. Take care,
Linda Giles
Studio 11 Designs
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Kiersten Chase Brookes Dear Pam, Julia, Peter, Doris, Dick and the rest of the Creech family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Over the past few years with the loss of family members I can relate to how much it hurts right now. I have only met my cousin Alan a few times but I know that he was a lovely person. I admire his dedication to scouts and to his life’s work – his children Peter and Julia. Remember in your hearts the messages he sent to you by what he did, and things he said. Let the happy times he gave you be your most cherished remembrances. Love Kiersten Chase Brookes, Paul, Nathan(9), Owen(5), and Madeleine(10mos) Brookes.
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Ashley Pam,
I am one of the many health care workers who cared for (and believed in) Al while he was in the ICU and on the wards, and I wanted to tell you that I am so, so truly sorry for your loss.
I also wanted to tell you that you are an amazing, strong, caring, and determined person. You never lost faith. You really touched me Pam, you and Al both, and I want you to know that I am thinking of you and your family, and praying for Al.
Deepest, deepest sympathies…
Ashley
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Leoni Gingras Pam, I knew your husband from OCG, I have seen your family grown up at the Christmas parties over the years. Our children are the same age so we always had an instant connection. While I left OCG nearly two years ago I re-connected with Alan when he was one of the instructors at the Cub Woodbadge training last year. He was a great instructor and I could see how much he enjoyed and gave to the program. I then agreed to run one of the stations at the Wolf Howl in the spring. Hundreds of children will remember his Star Wars theme, the camp was magical despite the weather! I am so sad to hear this news and can not imagine the depth of your loss. I am so sorry, sincerely Leoni
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Barbara Waldner Dear Doris and Dick, I was shocked and saddened to read in this morning’s paper that your precious son has died! What a very sad time this is for you and your family. I know how much your children have meant to you and this is, indeed, a devastating occurrence for you to bear. You will be surrounded by the love of your family and friends and please know that we, at Cordova Bay United Church will be thinking of you and praying for you. With love and deepest sympathy to you and all your family, Barbara
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D. Ian Smith I knew Alan first in the militia and then in the Office of the Comptroller GeneraI. He was always a happy, positive and enthusiastic person.
He was one of those people who you were happy to be with, The world is the better for him having been in it and the worse for his untimely passing.
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Darren, Deb and the Mogg crew Pam: It has been a true pleasure being having Al and yourselves as friends. We will miss Al horribly – and will always remember the camping, hiking, scouting, gaming – and all the humour and enthusiasm Al packed into everything he did. He lived too short – but more than almost anyone else I know -he lived well!. We are truly glad to have been a part of your lives together, and to have these shared memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
-Darren, Deb, Miranda, Max, & Jakob
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Paul Holmes Peter and Julia,
I am sad too.
Your father was one of the most honest, well-respected men I knew, and the kind of Dad all us other Dad’s try hard to be like.
Remember all the great times you had together and hug each other lots!
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Ann ten Cate Dear Pam – I am was so sorry to read about Al’s passing, and am thinking of you and Peter and Julia. He was such a proud father, and I know his children will always be able to remember him with pride for all the great things he did with his life.
Ann (and Alice)
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Kim Jordison Pam, Peter & Julia,
Words cannot express the sadness we feel for all of you. I know that Al will live on in all of you – he loved you all so very much. Please know in your time of grief that there are many people that love and care about you all and we are all here for you. We will miss Al – his smirky grin, his funny stories, the way he liked to egg us ladies on during bus conversations with his favourite sayings “the wife” and that he was “babysitting”, and of course his stubbornness. Al will never be forgotten.
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Arn van Iersel It was my great pleasure to have known and worked with Alan. We worked together in the Office of the Comptroller General and then later taught together on the Government Financial Management and Control Course. We also enjoyed talking about scouting as I had been a leader for many years in the past.
Alan truly was a blessing to all who knew him. He was always eager to help out, was thoughtful in his work and had a great sense of humour. It was also clear that he was a devoted family man dedicated to his wife and children. We will all miss him but can rejoice in the fact that were were able to know him.
Peace to you Alan and my sincere condolences to the family.
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Karen (Wilson) Leeson To Dick, Doris and family;
I didn’t know Alan, as he was born after you moved from Braefoot Road. However we kept track of the Creech family and always heard what he was doing, through Doris’ newsy Christmas letters in the early years after your move and later through chance encounters when you returned to Victoria. I am so sorry for your loss. Karen (Wilson) Leeson
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Lori Zvonarich My sympathy to you and your family at this difficult time.
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steve and bev Coe Pam, -I’ve always cherished the times we’ve spent together with you and Al. We’ve known each other, known Al and you, for almost 20 years. We’ve watched our kids grow. We’ll always remember his sense of humour, easy smile, wit, and that twinkle in his eye. The world will be a little less bright in his absence. We’ll miss him and you’re in our thoughts always.
I came across Alan’s obit just recently and was saddened to learn of his untimely passing.
Even though we only worked together for a short time together at OCG (summer of ’94), Alan always had a smile and a friendly greeting every time we bumped into each other.
Alan was one of the good guys and will be missed.