It is with the deepest and most profound sorrow and heartbreak that the family of Allan Crossfield must announce that he lost his fight with cancer on July 14, 2020 at the age of 62. It was a battle that was fought for years so bravely, stoically, valiantly, and with such positivity and determination. He leaves his loving and devoted wife Joan, his mother Joan, brothers Wayne (Nutt), Douglas (Kob), and his two kitties (Zorro & Tazzy). He was predeceased by his father, Merton (Toby) in 2005.
Allan retired from Canada Post in 2016, to pursue his love of gardening. He loved to seek out unusual tropical plants and seeds. He spent many hours cultivating his gorgeous bonsai plants. His garden was once featured in the B.C. Gardener Magazine and on the cover of Coastal Grower Magazine. Gardening was his life’s passion!
Allan was also a very accomplished drummer. He was the drummer for many bands, including Nuvo Wavo which was a very popular New Wave cover band playing the Victoria scene for several years. He also played in Back Trax, Club 13, The Kicks, and most recently Rewind. He loved and valued every moment that he spent with his musician friends!
Allan also loved to go kayaking with his wife on Matheson Lake and hike the local trails around his home in beautiful Metchosin. He also loved to travel to Hawaii and cherished his visits to his second “birthplace” as he called it. He would spend every moment of his time in Hawaii either snorkelling or doing his favourite thing of cage diving with the sharks, which he adored!
He will be so sadly missed by his wife, his family and his many friends.
Many thanks to Dr. C. Stigant, Dr. J. Kinahan, Dr. H.Bindra, and Dr. M. Brigden, who did everything that they could to extend his life. As well we want to thank the absolutely amazing staff and nurses of the Renal Unit and the Hospice at the Jubilee Hospital. We also want to put out our heartfelt thanks to all of his many friends who offered such love and support for Allan during this incredibly difficult time, with extra special thanks to Shirley Smith and the Kirkhams!
There will be a Celebration of Allan’s life and spirit at a later date when it is safe for a large group of people to gather together.
In lieu of flowers a donation in his name to a local animal rescue society would be greatly appreciated.
Victoria Humane Society https://www.victoriahumanesociety.com/,
Victoria Animal Crusaders: http://gvacrescue.com/
Broken Promises: https://brokenpromisesrescue.wordpress.com/
Wild Arc: https://spca.bc.ca/locations/wild-arc/
BCSPCA: https://spca.bc.ca/
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Caroline (Ducky)
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Nicole (Niki) Ramage My heart is grieving for and with you Joan, Joan (Mom) Wayne and Doug. I will greatly miss my friend and gardening guru. Al was the only person who could relate to my weird excitement over finding that unusual plant at the nurseries. I regret not getting the chance to tell him how much I appreciated and valued his friendship. After such a long and harrowing battle with his illness I hope Al has found some peace and I hope that in time,you will all find a kind of peace as well.
“Death brings heartache nothing can heal.
Love makes memories no one can steal”In deepest sympathy,
Nicole( Niki) Ramage
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Pauline and Stew East Remembering with you a life so important to so many. With love and sympathy. May today’s sorrow give way fo peace and comfort.
Pauline and Stew East ( former neighbours of Joan and Toby)
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John Mace I send my deepest condolences to you Joan, Joan (Mom), Wayne, Doug and the rest of the family. I have nothing but great memories of my time living with Al in Victoria at the Ponderosa and working with him at Goodwill Bottling and playing in bands with him in Victoria & Vancouver. Nothing but laughs.
I also got him the job he hated most, driving a cement truck in Vancouver. I think it drove him back to Victoria to meet you, Joan and work at Canada Post. I will miss him and always remember him forever.
So sorry for your loss. I’m so, so glad we were able to get together on zoom calls in the last few weeks and personally have a good phone chat. I’m glad I got to tell him I loved him.
Run for it Al!!! Rest in Peace my Friend.
I am so sorry for your loss. Al was so much fun to work with and I loved to talk plants and gardening with him when we worked together at the post office. It has been a while since I last saw him slowly delivering mail. Talk about snail mail! Fortunately he always took my rude comments with the humor I had intended. He was certainly one of my favorite people. You are all in my thoughts especially my old pal Joan (the wife). Caroline (Ducky)