It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Alan Day at the age of 92 at home in Victoria, BC on 3 January 2017. Born in Victoria in 1924, Alan was a World War II veteran who served as a wireless operator (encrypted Morse code) on a Royal Canadian Navy corvette during the Battle of the Atlantic, and later as a Royal Canadian Navy Physical Training Instructor (RCN-PTI). After the war, he returned to Victoria where he met and in 1946, married Jean Anne Maggs of Vermilion, Alberta, who became the rock of his life. That year, he became one of the first members of the Saanich Fire Fighter’s Union and later, set up an upholstery business in Oak Bay. Alan signed up for military service again for a three-year stint as a Royal Canadian Air Force Physical Training Officer at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Quebec. The family then returned to Victoria, where he again found employment as a military fire fighter. Over the years, Alan rose through the ranks to become Base Fire Chief of DND Dockyard, Esquimalt until his retirement in 1989. Despite the loss of Jean in 2004, Alan continued to live a remarkably healthy and independent life in the family home.
Always physically active, Alan had been an occasional amateur boxer and wrestler, but his real enthusiasm was weight training, an activity he first began in 1941 at the age of 17, and quietly practiced in his basement gym over the next 75 years. Extraordinarily, at the age of 91, Alan gained national and international fame as an elite senior athlete after entering his first powerlifting competition at the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation Championships in Calgary where on June 5, 2016 he set the federation’s national and world records for the bench press in the 90-Plus Age Category. Appearing to be in remarkable good health and even improving on his record-breaking lifts, Alan continued his weight training with his coach Gary Abbott until about a month after his 92nd birthday. Then, days before he was to enter another powerlifting competition, a minor breathing problem was revealed as the onset of a rapid and fatal form of cancer that took his life just 90 days later. True to form, however, Alan passed away while exercising in his home gym.
Alan will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered by his children David (Roisin), Brian (Pippa), and Patrice; granddaughter Tarot; brother Marvyn (Judy); sisters-in-laws Mary Maggs, Viola (Nick) Kashhuba; brother-in-law Doug (Gay) Maggs and many nephew and nieces. He was predeceased by his maternal brother Donal (Donna) Chadderton.
There will be a celebration of Alan’s life by family, friends and colleagues in the summer.
A bench press award is to be created in Alan’s name by the Canadian 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation.
Condolences to the family may be left below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Doug Stuart
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Vicki Gabereau Thinking of you now. Loosing a parent is a wrenching thing, the true end of our childhood. Love vicki gabereau
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Brian Catinus Our condolences to your family. As stated, Alan was an original member of the Saanich Fire Fighters Association, International Association of Fire Fighters’ Local 967. His signature is on our certification as an IAFF Local and we are forever thankful for, and proud of his work with the Saanich Fire Department.
We are grateful for Alan’s long history of service to our country and to our city.
Thank you Alan, and with sympathy,
Brian Catinus
Secretary
Saanich Fire Fighters Association
IAFF Local 967
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Heather Smart My condolences to Patrice, Brian and David and loved ones. I knew Alan as “Patrice’s Dad” when growing up as neighbours. Both he and “Patrice’s Mom” (Jean) were very kind and welcoming in their home. I have memories of walking past Alan as he weight-trained in the garage (the door was open usually), lying on the bench, pressing barbells, and I’d say “Hi, Mr. Day”… It’s a nice image because Alan obviously enjoyed it and I’m sure it contributed to his long good health.
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Joanne Barker (Williams) My deepest sympathy to Alan’s children. I have fond memories of your Dad when we were growing up.
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Kim Kenner My condolences to the family. He was so loved.. What a life well lived!
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Lindsay My deepest sympathy to you all I always admired my great uncle he had a special type of charm and now he can be back in the loving arms of Aunt Jean very blessed to have known such a wonderful man.
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Annie Quigley For David, Roisin and family,
Thinking of you over here in London as you lift the weight of grief and gain strenghth from the memory of a formidably courageous and strong man in every sense.
Now we know where that natural art of storytelling and good humour came from!
God rest his soul.
Bear hugs
Annie x
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Cliff & Pat Coulter Our condolences to Al’s family. I was honoured to have served with Al for many years with him being my Chief in the DND Fire Department. He assisted me numerous times over those years to help me advance my career. He always set an outstanding example to all of his men with his professionalism, both on and off the job. My wife and I considered Al a friend. He will be missed by all that knew him.
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Mal Preston Malcolm Preston
Jan. 23rd. 2017
My condolences to the family, Al was my Fire Chief in the DND Fire Dept. for many years. Always there for his fellow firefighters. And he helped me further my Fire Dept. Career.
He was well respected and will be missed .
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Sharon Kobe Alan is already sadly missed by his second family – Gladys “Doreen” Petersen (his lady friend for the past 10 years), Sharon Kobe and Daniel Cook. We look forward to sharing many more Saturday dinners with you up in heaven, Alan.
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Ted & Pat Floor Our condolences to David, Brian, Patrice and families on the passing of your father.
He was an amazing man right to the end and you should be so proud of his accomplishments and the love he had for his family.With Sympathy,
Ted & Pat Floor
Saanichton, B.C.
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Linda Rogers van Krugel In love and loveable, Jean and Alan were the archetypal Mid-Century couple. Devoted to one another, their family and their community, they invited everyone inside their picket fence, a space filled with good humour and wonderful storytelling. Alan put out some fires, but kept his home fires burning. He lifted us up. Keep on lifting, Alan, in memory.
I only met Alan a few times while attending High School and University in Victoria with Brian, but invariably thought to myself what a spirited and caring individual he was. We can all take many positives from the strength of character that Alan showed in living his life the way that he did,an attribute that lives on in his loving family.