August 8, 1957 – August 28, 2014
It is with intense, sadness that we announce Mac’s sudden passing. He was a devoted, loving, husband, father and grandpa. His dedication and leadership shone in his thirty years of service as a diver in the Canadian Military and as the owner/operator of AL-LYN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS since 1995. Born in Winnipeg, MB., he spent much of his childhood in Southern Ontario, then settled in the Victoria, BC area when not on his second love, the Sea. He is survived by his first love, Sandy, his wife of 36 years and two sons, Matthew Allen, (Crystal) and Bryan James, along with seven grandchildren; his mother, Gladys and three sisters as well as The Creamer Clan – his second family. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Details of a “Celebration of Life” are to be announced at a later date. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Robert Frew
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Dianna Harvey (MacDonald) Sandy, Matt and Bryan. I am so sorry for your loss. Butch as he was known to us will remain very dear to my heart. I will miss him greatly. As I remember the times as kids that he as my big brother tried to teach me how to golf and fish, ride a two wheeler. Those memories will live on forever. It saddens me that his life was cut so short. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Marina Fraser So very sorry to learn of Al’s death,Sandy. My sincere sympathy to you and your family. I enjoyed my chats with him over the years. He was a fine man and will be greatly missed.
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Mrs. F. Aiken It was with great sadness that I learned of Allen’s death. I extend my condolences to Sandy and the family. Al-Lynn Irrigation Systems have looked after my needs for many years and will be missed.
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Keith Bruce My deepest condolences with your loss and ours. Al was a great person i had the honor to work with diving. Even after retiring I would run into him and always have a good conversation on what we were both up to. I will certainly miss him! He was a great person!
Sincerely
Keith
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Jack Lardner/Bill Cochrane Dear Sandy, Mathew, and Brian, Bill and I are so sad to hear about your loss. If there is anything we can do, please do not hesitate to call.
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Gary Reddy Sandy and family,
Please accept my most sincere condolences in your loss. Al was a wonderful man, husband, father, and Clearance Diver. As a fellow diver, I completed the EOD course with Al and sailed with him in CORMORANT. Our paths crossed many times during our careers and I have many great memories of AL. I was privileged to call him a friend. The diving community is very saddened by his sudden passing.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Gary Reddy
Commander (ret’d)
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Gaye Feller-Devolin Dear Sandy and Family, It was with real sorrow that we heard of Al’s passing. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you but have not forgotten how much fun and you all were and what a great guy Al was. Our hearts go out to you and the boys Sandy and I hope you will reach out for a talk it you need to. My arms are around you at this time.
Love Gaye
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Kevin & Sharon Muise Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Al was a great friend and valuable member of our Diving family. Rest in Peace.
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Tom Vogler To Sandy & Family, I wanted you to know what a great man Al is in my estimation. He was always willing to help, had a keen insight and quiet wisdom regarding so many things. The thing that impressed me the most about this man of so many talents was his genuine way and humility. He will be missed in the Irrigation Industry for certain as he was a good mentor and teacher to many. He earned his rest and will no doubt start new and challenging projects in the next stage of being. While I miss him I can almost hear his quiet deep chuckle and him chiding “Quit being so melodramatic!” Sending you all good energy at this sudden and difficult turn. Looking forward to catching up with him again someday … until then be well Al!
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Mark Oliver To Sandy and the family, I’m so sorry for this sudden passing of such a great husband, father and friend to all of you. Al was like a father to me, spending many hours guiding me through any number of challenges as my diving supervisor. As so many others have stated, he was a great teacher to many of us. Yet first and for most he was a good friend and I will really miss him. God speed my old friend.
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Ron Mierau I am so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. I sailed with him and knew him well. He was a wonderful person. I appreciate the opportunity to attend his “Celebration of life”.
Ron
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Clay Cochrane I want to take a moment to express how deeply sad I am to hear of your family’s loss. Al was my first Chief and he was always there for me as a young leader trying to learn the ropes. He always took time to point me in the right direction. One summer night he stayed with me until nearly dark, preparing YDT SOOKE for her Ship’s Readiness Inspection the next morning. Al could see how nervous and worried I was at the prospect of this major test by Sea Training the following morning and I never once had to ask him for his help, he was just there, always at my side. The next day we passed with flying colours. Thank you Al, God Bless you and your family.
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June Fawaz (MacDonald) Sandy, Mathew and Brian, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great loss. It is with profound sadness he has left so young. I wish I had the opportunity to know him more. He came to Ottawa once, we had dinner and took my boys for a walk. He played with them and was very encouraging, it is one of my greatest memories. May the experience of peace and contentment he brought to our lives that evening, be remembered always.
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Yves Lessard My sincere condolence.
It is with surprise and sadness that I learned his departure. All and I remember fondly when we worked together at FDU (A) School. He was an excellent instructor always looking to the welfare of his students.
Five bells passed and repeated, diver finish his work. May he rest in peace but never forgotten.Yves
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Dale Thomas Our thoughts and prayers are with the MacDonald family. We are
to hear of his sudden passing. Al was a great friend and mentor to all divers, he had his own way of cutting through the BS, and putting things back into perspective. He will be missed.
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Glen Gilan Sandy, Matt, and Brian; Bonnie and I were shocked and saddened when we heard Al had passed away. Al was a true friend and a man I respected for his honesty, wisdom and support. As a fellow classmate in 78 Al was a true leader and driver who helped his mates get over obstacles and challenges. I have always admired his professionalism and his no BS attitude. Al and I bumped into each other throughout our careers and it was always like we were neighbors having a laugh and a beer. I will miss my friend. I am sure this is a difficult time for your family, rest assured we will all cherish memories of Al.
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Darrell Colwell Sandy, Matt and Brian
I wish you all, deepest condolences from my family and I. I was shocked to hear of Al’s passing. He was always a person who couldn’t sit still and was certainly not shy of labourious work. He was an integral part of my career as a Clearance Diver. He understood leadership and made going to work meaningful. He will be sadly missed by the entire diving community but never forgotten. As the current Coxswain of FDU(P) I also send, on behalf of the entire unit, our deepest regrets.
Our thoughts are with you during this time of mourning and if there is anything you need we are there for you.
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Charles Trombley Sandy, Matt and Bryan, my deepest sympathy for your loss way to soon. Enjoyed working with Al years ago back on the Cormorant in Halifax. He a great diver and friend.
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Dan Bewsher Sandy.,Matt and Brian, With a heavy heart I heard the Sad news of Al
passing. Deepest Condolence from the Bewsher Family, Al was a Mentor to me on my Combat Diver Course and convinced me to become a Clearance Diver. He was a great Leader then and continued to be during my Military Career and was my first boss as a civi woring for DND and I enjoyed every minute I spent with him. He will be missed, but never forgotten by me,
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Scott Friesen My thoughts and prayers to Sandy, Matt and Brian at this sad time. Al touched many lives and leaves a legacy in the many Navy Divers that he helped to influence and teach. It was my privilege and honor to have worked and learned from him for many years. Rest in Peace my friend.
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Dan Bewsher Sandy, Matt and Brian, Please accept the condolences being sent from the Bewsher family, Al was a major player in my becoming a Clearance Diver, He was the standby diver for my combat diver course in 79, and convinced me to try out for the Trade he loved and cared for, he will be missed by so many, His humor and ability to make hard times seem a lot better with his presence will be missed.
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Gerd Mantel My sincere condolences to the Family. I have worked wih Al for many years.he was an exellent diver and great human being. He was respected and liked by all. I will miss him.
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Rick (Bugsie) Bakker Our condolences to the family, I met Mac back in the early 70’s when he was on the tanker, and I was on the Gatineau, them ran into him again when I was posted to FDU(P) in 2006. He will be missed by all those who knew him.
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Cameron Jones Sandy, Matt and Brian I am at a loss for words, and I offer my deepest condolences. Al was my standby diver on my CD course and of course a friend. I have many fond memories of Al and I wish to keep those with me forever. I know there are no words that can assuage the anguish you feel today, but you can be proud of the fact that Al made a difference in so many lives and futures, mine being one, by just being that persons friend.
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Austin & Belinda Baird Sandy, Matt & Brian. Our deepest condolences to your family. Al was a great friend, mentor and was looked upon with respect for his energy, humor and strength of character. He will be missed. I’m very sorry for your loss. Austin & Belinda
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Ron McMillan Sandy, Matt and Brian our thoughts are with you. I’ve known Al since 1979. We spent a lot of time together over the years, on course, on the boats, in Repair and in the water. We always got along but everybody did with Al. Upfront and honest with everyone even if it pissed them off. It was a privilege to call you Friend! Al, I’m sure gonna miss you, RIP Mac
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JT Milling Am so very sorry to hear of Al’s passing. He has always been a fixture at FDU (P) for as long as I’ve been blessed to be welcome there. Hoping your grief be short and you are blessed w/ great memories. God bless.
BMC (EOD) JT Milling, USN (Ret)
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Cheryl Whalen Sandy, Matt, and Brian, my deepest condolences in this very emotional and trying time. Al was a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He was always there for me and the kids when “My Mac” was away at sea. I knew all I had to do was call, and he would be there to help. He was also there for me during my most trying time almost 15 years ago. I will always remember his warm, yet slightly devious smile, his willingness to help, and his love of family. I only wish I would have been able to see him again. He will be greatly missed, and never forgotten.
I grew up with you guys on rocky point. My dad Jay Frew worked with Al. My family and I were sad to hear the bad news. Our deepest condolences