Faithfulness, integrity, diligence, humility, generosity: words that describe one who has received the “crown of Life” after 92 years as a dedicated husband and father. He leaves a legacy of enduring faith in Christ and a loving family with his wife Luella: Dorothy/Bill (Darcie/Craig: Avery, Emily; Danell/Avery); Rick; Peter/Sheila (Rebecca/Tyler; Daniel; Leah); Allan/Angela (Sarahanne; Emma; Katarina/Danny: Logan, Serena; James); Yvonne/Paul (Maria/Winston; Laura); Tom/Wendy (Alysia/Aaron: Jacob, Isla, Liv; Rachel/Jarrod: Ivy, Emmy; Derek/Heidi; Charlotte; Clinton). Born in the Netherlands to a family of 10 children, Allan immigrated to Winnipeg in 1950 following his childhood sweetheart, whom he married in 1953. To provide for his family he had multiple jobs: market-gardener, milkman, taxi driver, and insurance salesman. In 1972 they moved to Victoria, where he founded Allan Tolsma Insurance Agencies. Several of his children and grandchildren work in insurance to this day. His entrepreneurial success enabled him to enjoy time boating, fishing, and gardening. After 26 years as a generous and hard-working businessman, he retired, returning to his love of gardening and travelling with friends and family. He loved meeting (bright and early) with coffee buddies, singing hymns and old Frisian songs, and getting ice-cream with anyone who would go. “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Is 43) – Allan/Dad/Pake is now home. Heartfelt thanks to VGH and Gorge Road Hospital staff for your kindness.
Live-stream service March 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm, newlifevictoria.com/video. Donations may be made to Alzheimer Society. Offer condolences below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
30 Responses
Dorothy, our condolences to you, Bill and all your family. Love Sue and Dennis
I am saddened by the loss of a great man. My first boss! ‘Uncle Allan’ was amazing, funny, hardworking and loving. I will always have fond memories of him from my childhood (going boating) and from working at the Insurance Agency. I was lucky to talk to him one last time at church. My condolences to you and your family from all of us.
Lieve familie Tolsma,
Bij het bericht dat jullie geliefde man, vader en opa is gestorven in de HEER komen bij ons herinneringen boven aan de keren dat we hem en zijn vrouw ontmoetten als we bij Yvonne en Paul op bezoek waren.
Zijn groentetuin waar hij lekker kon ‘rommelen’.
Zijn knots van een camper ( in onze ogen) waarmee zij mooie reizen maakten. En die hij gul uitleende aan ons om een trip over het eiland te maken.
Het zomerhuisje aan het meer waar we met de hele familie een weekend waren. De lol en humor, het schaterlachen en zwemmen. Maar ook de openheid naar elkaar en de serieuze en soms felle discussies.
Zij samen, Pake en Beppe zijn de spil geweest van een grote familie waarin Gods liefde zo belangrijk was.
In onze gedachten en gebeden bij jullie!
Liefdevolle Groet,
Chris en Elly
He was a great man. Always kind and encouraging. He really left a legacy. A true example of a man. 92 WOW that’s awesome! Now he’s rejoicing in heaven with his new body 🙂
Dear Tolsma Family, Our Dad (my twin Sandy), Doug White, was a huge fan of Allan’s and his family. Dad owned a car business and continued buying insurance from his favourite Tolsma Insurance. Dad passed away in 2012 but I keep his last license plate (WHT 535) – not a vanity plate but one that his insurance agent let him have so he could remember it. Sandy got a similar one (we’re all forgetful). I keep his plate under my Xmas tree every year. When Sandy told me today that Allan had passed away, we thought we needed to send you a picture (my tree is actually still up, waiting for the time when we can celebrate Xmas with our Mom who is still locked down in a seniors residence. Unfortunately, I can’t post the photo to this tribute but please know that our two Dads are watching us. I hope our Dad remembers to thank yours for giving us the license plate of love. Love, Sharon (White) and Sandy (McClary). Please accept and extend our love to all of Allan’s family and loved ones.
Our prayers and love for the whole Tolsma family….I loved my time at the office with “Mr.T”. He was a wonderful man.
Our condolences Dorothy to you and your Family! He lived a full life and that is a wonderful thing but that last good bye is so final and difficult. Our Families grew together as immigrants and have quite the histories of their pioneer days moving their Families to a new country! Always have so much respect for our parents and what they endured. Great memories. You are all in my prayers!
I first met Allan when he became one of Victoria’s first ICBC agents, back in the early 70’s. Allan would politely ask if he could sit in the showroom ( his brown briefcase in hand ) as he had not many clients, being a new agent. Always a humble, kind and polite gentleman who looked after all his clients as family.
We would never deal with anyone else. Very sad day for all but what beautiful memories of one of Victoria’s finest and respected businessman and friend.
Your family has always lived up to the kind, personal service that the Allan Tolsma was famous for.
We were so fortunate to have Allan as part of our industry.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to all the Tolsma family.
Kindest Regards.
We too have pleasant memories of Allan.
Sharing our daily coffee time at seven in the morning while on the way to work. Good talks about work but also about his faith in the lord. We remember Allan as a supporter of the Bible’s for Missions thrift store.
Condolences to Luella and the family.
The Schenks
Our condolences to the Tolsma family. A life well lived and so loved by his family.
From Peter and Shirley Feenstra