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
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16 Responses
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
Rev. Allan was a very gentle and kind minister to his flock. Our condolences to Marjorie and family.
We are thinking of you today ( Dec 3). Sorry I just couldn’t swing it. Michael
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.:)
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.