Son of the late Andrew B. Allan and Jean Forsyth of Thorold Ontario. Dr Allan is survived by his wife Marjorie for 65 years, daughter Susan (Brett), son Andrew (Kelly), grandchildren Kassandra, Bryce, Tavish, great grandchildren Logan and Scarlet.
Dr. Allan graduated from Waterloo College (U.W.O.) and The Presbyterian College, Montreal. He was a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Canada serving congregations in Chateauguay and Beech Ridge in Quebec, Trinity York Mills in Toronto, ON and St. Andrew’s in Victoria, BC. He served on many national boards and committees of the Presbyterian Church and was Moderator of the 116th General Assembly.
A memorial service will be held in The Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 10:00am.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Allan” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Deane Cooke
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Fay Blenkhorn Dear Marjorie and family
I have great memories of Rev Allen as he was our minister at Maple Wood for many years . He worked closely with my father at this church . How many times as a child i called him for help ,
He was a great influence on our lives .
My deepest condolences to you and your family on this loss from our familybFay Blenkhorn
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Donald Mackenzie My deepest condolences, Marjorie.
Rev. Allan was a huge part of my life, from the day he baptized me to all the years that followed, I’ll always remember him. He was such a kind and wise man, always sharing his knowledge and insights with gentle care.
I know he’ll live on in the hearts of many, and I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I can still close my eyes and hear his strong, clear voice. He was a truly gifted speaker, a great mentor, and a guiding light for so many of us.
He’ll always be loved by so many. I’m so grateful that he was a part of our family; he made us all better people.
Sending you all my love and best wishes.
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Gordon Richard Snee It is with a heavy heart that I send my sincere condolences to the Allan family.
John’s passing is a significant loss to all those he touched in this world.
From the time when I was a 12 year-old boy scout earning my Religion in Life emblem to when John officiated at our wedding he touched my life in a significant way.
Even though I did not spend much time in his presence (geography was an issue) after I was married he always remained a positive influence. He had that effect on so many. My wife and I honoured him by giving our second son “Allan” as a middle name.
I wish John the eternal peace he so deserves and was so ready to move on to.
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Lynne Snee Dear Marjorie,
We just read John’s obituary. Please accept our deepest sympathies on his loss to you and your family, and to all the other lives he touched during his life of service. We will always be grateful for his support in the weeks that led up to our wedding, and are thankful that we had the opportunity to visit with you both on a couple of occasions when we travelled to BC. Our second son bears your last name as his middle name – a testament to how much we valued John’s place in our lives.He is now at peace. We hope your memories of your life together will bring you comfort.
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Rev. John Crowdis Marjorie and family,
My condolences are late, as I only just received the news and missed his service. John’s influence on my ministry was profound and pervading as his student at St. Andrew’s Victoria. Thirty years later, I still remember the wisdom he shared, and how it continues to guide me.
God’s peace and blessings to you and your family.
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Margaret Duncan Marjorie, Susan and Andrew
My memories go back to St. Andrews, St. Lambert when John was student for a year. He was required to do visiting one Sunday a month. I remember our side door opening and the call “Put another potato in the pot”. After lunch and a quick snooze on my brother’s bed, he would be off to do his visiting.
Treasure your memories.Margaret Duncan
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Don Scott & Lois Toms Rev. Allan was a very gentle and kind minister to his flock. Our condolences to Marjorie and family.
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Michael Barnes We are thinking of you today ( Dec 3). Sorry I just couldn’t swing it. Michael
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Debbie (Ellis) Battler My Condolences to the family. My Cousins were married by Reverend Doctor John Forsyth Allan. I am a great-granddaughter of Rev Dr. William Leslie Clay, of St Andrew’s, Victoria, for 34 years and Moderator of the General Assembly in 1927. I spent my childhood attending St Andrews Church and Sunday school, led by my great aunt Mary Clay, daughter of Dr. William Leslie Clay. I didn’t realize I had a cousin, John A. H. Clay, in Ottawa.:)
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Richard Fitzgibbon Marjorie, a moment in time when my family (now all deceased) lived in St. Lambert, south of Motreal, when we experienced John as a fun student Minister. My Sister Suzanne married the Reverend Graeme Duncan. All to say my heart goes out to you after a fantastic 66 year run with John. Not many can savour that length of marriage!
Enjoy your family as able. Every day is a gift.
Richard Fitzgibbon
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John A. H. Clay, Ottawa To the family of Rev. Dr. John Forsyth Allan:
Having read the obituary for Rev. Dr. Allan in the Globe & Mail, I wish to offer my condolences to you.
My interest and thoughts arise due to being a grandnephew of Rev Dr. William Leslie Clay, Pastor of St Andrew’s, Victoria for 34 years and Moderator of the General Assembly in 1927. He was a brother of my paternal grandfather, Alexander Anderson Clay. My family members have visited Dr. Clay’s family on Linden Avenue, Victoria and have attended service at St Andrew’s and viewed the Memorial Tablet in his memory.
Sincerely
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Jackie Fralick Dear Marjorie, Susan, Andrew and all the family, my sincerest condolences. John was a great man to work for. As his secretary for many years he and our family became very close friends. We had lots of fun at our home with all the Church Christmas Parties (especially when he was our Santa), also the trips to Thorold to visit his parents, and walking through the cemeteries reading all the tomb stones (even when it was dark and we had to use a flashlight to see the inscriptions). I will always remember the trip to Montreal to watch John receive his doctorate. May your memories provide you with comfort knowing he is now at peace. Lots of love, Jackie.
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June and Andrew Smyth When I think of my childhood, there’s a lot of memories of Trinity Presebyterian and everyone who was there in the 70s and 80s. A big part of that group was the Allan family. Mr. Allan was minister for most of my childhood and I remember my parents telling me that wasn’t the ‘norm’. He was always so calm and peaceful and full of wisdom. I know my dad (Frank Friesen) enjoyed joking around with him on Sunday mornings. Dad was in the choir and often would leave little ‘gag’ gifts on the altar for John to see when he did his sermon. My parents continued to keep in touch with John and Marjorie for years after they moved to Victoria. Our deepest condolences. June and Andrew Smyth
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David Gordon On behalf of the Gordon family, please accept our sincere condolences. During his years in Toronto at Trinity Presbyterian, Rev. Allen was woven into so many parts of our lives—within the church, in our neighbourhood, and through the friendships between our families. I have fond memories of him stopping by for a summer drink with my parents. His support over those years meant a great deal to us, and he helped give our family a sense of direction and steadiness that we’ve carried forward. His faith was a source of strength for so many, and it’s comforting to think of him now at peace.
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Esther Rupnarain My sincere condolences to Marjorie, Susan, Andrew and loved ones.
Rev. Allan was the Minister at Trinity York Mills when I arrived as a new immigrant from Guyana (young member of Burns Memorial, Guyana Presbyterian church) in 1975.
His warm, caring, inviting and helpful approach was so evident in every aspect.
It was extremely sad when Rev Allan and his family moved to BC.
The path he carved for me and my siblings will never be forgotten.
All his years of expertise as a humble Servant has prepared him for God’s heavenly Kingdom. May his soul rest in peace. A circle of Trinity’s love surrounds his family and anyone who knew and loved Rev Allan.
I only just discovered the passing of John Allan today (March 21/26).
My wife Lorraine and I are very saddened to hear this news.
Of all the people I have encountered in the nearly 78 years of my life, John stands out as one of my favourites.
I have nothing but fond memories of Reverend Allan.
We first met in the late sixties when he arrived at Trinity Presbyterian Church in York Mills. I was 20 at the time and my parents were original members there.
We really hit it off and through all the many Church activities over the years, became friends.
We formed a special bond with John who performed our wedding ceremony in 1972 and baptized both of our children.
We still fondly recall the many times we would run into him at Fairview Mall in North York just sitting on a bench observing people. He always said it was one of his favourite things to do.
The last time we saw John in person was when he returned to Trinity to participate in the
50th Anniversary Celebration of the Church in 2003.
We reconnected about six years ago when my Mother passed away at age 98 during the Covid Pandemic. John very kindly prepared and recorded a Video Funeral Service for her, from out in BC! What a special and memorable gift that was! I’m sure my Mom would have been delighted to have John put her to rest!
And now it’s John’s time to rest.
Our sincerest condolences to Marjorie and the entire Family!
Deane and Lorraine Cooke
Newmarket, Ontario