BISHOP JAMES ALLAN

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BISHOP JAMES ALLAN On Wednesday, June 26, 2013, Bishop James Allan, a humble, faithful servant of our Lord, left us to be with his Father in Heaven. He was born Hugh James Pearson Allan in Winnipeg, MB, on August 7, 1928. His mother, Agnes Dorothy (nee Pearson, deceased) father, Hugh Blomfield Allan (deceased) and older sister, Dorothy (deceased), made for a small family full of love and humour. Being a child during the Great Depression, Jim learned early on to enjoy all of life's small treasures to the fullest. Jim's mother had a tremendous impact on his life, teaching him the importance of treating all people with compassion and love and that the books, Winnie the Pooh and Wind in the Willows, were necessary for a complete education. The love of those books was passed on to all of his children and grandchildren. He always treasured his memories of sitting in the pews with his mother at All Saints' Anglican Church, Winnipeg, while his father played the organ or sang in the choir. Jim's father, a gentle, quiet soul, taught Jim the timeless beauty of poetry, the love of nature, and the comfort of the Anglican Liturgy, enhanced by the ethereal beauty of English Cathedral-style music. Jim always wished that his children could have known these special people in his life. He was luckier than most in that the family had a simple cottage on the lighthouse point of Gull Harbour, Hecla Island on Lake Winnipeg. Gull Harbour and Lake Winnipeg would leave an indelible mark on Jim. He acquired his taste for adventure while exploring the islands of Lake Winnipeg via rowboat and kayak. While there, he developed his lifelong love of bird watching. Gull Harbour was never far from Jim's heart. In the last few years of his life, just evoking the sounds and images of Gull Harbour would bring him immense comfort. Jim grew up in Winnipeg, attending Earl Grey Public School and Kelvin High School. After Kelvin, he was young and restless for adventure. Tales of the early explorers of Canada and The Hudson Bay Company's (HBC) part in history led him to join HBC as a clerk. In that capacity he traveled to Fur Trading Posts all over Northwestern Ontario, from Minaki up to Fort Severn. He instantly fell in love with the beauty of the boreal forest and lakes of the Canadian Shield. There he formed the first of many relationships with First Nations' people. He was with HBC for three years, a time he enjoyed greatly. One would have been right in thinking that here was the start of a promising career. However, one day, while paddling his canoe on a remote Northwestern Ontario lake, God called to Jim. God wanted Jim to follow Him, to enter the ministry. This would be the start of a new adventure, lasting the rest of Jim's life. Jim entered the Arts / Theology degree program of St. John's College on Broadway, Winnipeg. Jim shared the uppermost "fifth floor flats" with some real characters, Pat Lee and David Carter. These three senior sticks of the residence would form a lifelong bond of brotherly love. He was newly ordained a Deacon on November 28, 1954. Shortly after he was appointed as Curate at St. Aidan's, Winnipeg (1954) and then at All Saints, Winnipeg (1955). It was at St. John's that he met his future wife and steadfast partner in life, Beverley Edith Baker (deceased, 2008). Archbishop Walter Barfoot ordained Jim a priest on June 5, 1955 for the Diocese of Rupert's Land. Soon after, on September 10, 1955, Bev and Jim were married. The two of them were then sent to Peguis First Nations; this was his first posting as Rector. While there, Jim and Bev became parents, with the birth of twins, Mary and Douglas in 1957, followed by Barbara in 1959. In 1960, Jim became the Rector of St. Marks, St. Vital (Winnipeg) with daughter Jennifer joining the family in 1964. In 1966, Jim was made an honorary Canon of Rupert's Land and in 1968 was invited to the Diocese of Qu'Appelle, becoming Rector of St. Stephen, Swift Current and Rural Dean of Cypress. The family moved to Regina in 1970, where Jim was appointed Chaplin of the R.C.M.P. and Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral. There he spearheaded the funding and installation of a new organ and music program. Music was very important and he always had a song in his heart and on his lips. In March, 1974, Jim's vocational path was once again guided by the hand of God, when he was elected the sixth Bishop of Keewatin. Jim was consecrated on May 7, 1974 at St. Alban's Cathedral, Kenora, ON. Life had traveled full circle. Jim was back in the Canadian Shield country he fell in love with so long ago, reconnecting with friends from his HBC days. That same year St. John's College bestowed upon Jim the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Being six foot four inches tall, he looked imposing, but even more so when dressed in full regalia of a Bishop with Mitre. Marion Jackson, Priest-in-charge, St. James, Keewatin tells about her daughter attending an Easter service at St. Alban's, seeing the Bishop, so tall and regal, and saying "Oh, mom! - is that the King?" Although he was city born, Jim had a great love of the north country and its people. He encouraged the Native ministry and supported the non-stipendiary ministry. He enjoyed the fellowship of the National and Provincial House of Bishops, the Council of the North and attending the 1978 and 1988 Lambeth Conferences. He always felt the Anglican Church of Canada should be inclusive and took great delight in his participation in the consecration of Bishop Victoria Matthews, the first woman in Canada's Anglican House of Bishops. After 17 years, Jim resigned his position and in 1991 became the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This was a ministry he greatly appreciated. He also enjoyed having a new selection of birds for his life list. Although Bev and Jim loved the Halifax area, they returned to Winnipeg in 1994 to be closer to their grandchildren, Jennifer, Andrew and Brendan. Jim, better known as Grandpa, proudly watched his grandchildren grow to become fine young adults fulfilling their own dreams. He was pleased that all three grandchildren continue the legacy of great humour, compassion and generosity of heart. Jim and Bev spent more time at the cottage enjoying the sun, wind, water and waves. He loved the rich beauty of the Lake of the Woods and the austere beauty of Lake Winnipeg, where he had spent most summers since childhood. Grief from the loss of his wife Bev together with advancing Parkinson's disease forced Jim to move to the St. Norbert Personal Care Home in 2009. Here he received great care and compassion from the staff, for which the family is eternally grateful. While there, he was able to continue his love of bird watching from his riverside bedroom window. His well-known sense of humour never left him; he was always happy to hear, or worse, tell a joke. Though his body failed him, his mind stayed sharp. He loved deep discussions of his next adventure into the spiritual realm and devoted more time praying for the many people he loved and cared for. Many a visitor came to receive his blessing. Dad/Grampa will be dearly missed by his children Mary, Douglas (Sandy), Barbara and Jennifer, and grandchildren Jennifer, Andrew and Brendan. Foremost in all of Jim's ministry, was his pastoral care, love and compassion of the clergy and congregations committed to his care. He was a loving friend, pastor, husband, father and grandfather. Rejoice! Rejoice! This humble man is with his Father in Heaven. A service to celebrate Jim's life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at All Saints Anglican Church, 175 Colony Street. In Jim's memory, donations may be made to St. John's College, University of Manitoba, 92 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M5 or to the Beverley and Bishop James Allan Bursary, St. John's College, same address. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Jul 6, 2013

BISHOP JAMES ALLAN On Wednesday, June 26, 2013, Bishop James Allan, retired Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Keewatin, passed away in the presence of family. Having made the decision that now was the time to join his Father in heaven; his final days were peaceful, pain free and serene. He has been committed to flames and a memorial service will take place on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 2:00 pm at All Saints Anglican Church, the corner of Osborne and Broadway, Winnipeg, something he had prepared for and looked forward to . A longer obituary is to follow. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 NEILBARDALINC.COM
Publish Date: Jun 29, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2013