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.
47 Responses
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
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.
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
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!
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)
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.
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.
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
My sympathy to you and your family at this difficult time.
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.