SIDE, Allan W., P.Eng.
April 3, 1942 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
September 5, 2016 – Calgary, Alberta
It is with profound sadness that the Side family announces the peaceful passing of Allan W. Side, P.Eng., MBA, on Monday, September 5, 2016 at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre at the age of 74 years.
Allan was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba – the oldest of two sons and two daughters. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 1965. Beginning in 1960 he served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Communications/Electronics Officer and an Operations Officer at a NORAD site, and as a member of senior staff at Materiel Command and National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. During this time he travelled the world (with favourite stops in England, France and Germany) and he married his first love Margaret Side (McKeon) in 1968 (deceased 1980). Allan retired from the Armed Forces at Captain rank after 12 years of service to pursue his Master of Business Administration at Queen's University in Kingston. He graduated with his MBA in 1972 and went on to work at several companies in the financial industry in Ontario including Imperial Oil, Burns Fry, Hedlin Menzies & Associates, Dome Petroleum Ltd, and Fiscal Consultants Ltd. He moved to Calgary in 1977 and in 1979 he co-founded the oil & gas company Wellore Resources Ltd., where he served as Director and Vice-President and also where he met and then married his loving wife Deborah Side (Cooper). They honeymooned in Hawaii, and together Al and Deb went on to raise three children while living in northwest Calgary. The family enjoyed frequent travel abroad and were avid campers and downhill skiers. Allan moved on from Wellore to work at Clarica Insurance Company as Director of Structured Finance for Western Canada from 1986 to his retirement in 2000. He then founded his business consulting firm Ambercrest Management Inc. in 2000 and served as the company Director and President until his passing.
Allan was a member of the Financial Executives Institute, Calgary Chapter (since 1984), the Association of Professional Engineers of the Province of Ontario (1968 – 2005), the University of Calgary Project Management Advisory Council (1992 – 2001) and a Life Member of the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Alberta (since 1977). He also served on the Varsity Block Watch executive (1992-1996) and was active with Scouts Canada, Varsity 131 Group with his son (1997 – 2002). He was also an active member of the Calgary Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts (CORE) hiking club and served as Secretary on the CORE Executive Committee.
We will dearly miss Allan's cheerful smile, witty sense of humor, big bear hugs, and his heartfelt annual family Christmas letter. "Sunshine Al" loved to tell stories, to vacation & hike in the mountains, to host parties & family get-togethers, and to share good food (especially pie!). He was incredibly strong, resilient, ever positive, and so proud of his family.
Allan is dearly missed by his son Brady Side and daughters Amanda Side (Danny Sawchuk) and Jennifer Vogt (Dan Vogt). He is also remembered by his parents-in-law Lyle and Beverley Cooper, Uncle Tom Thomson and Auntie Jean Thomson, sisters Barbara Foster and Lorraine Pearson (Phil) and brother Robert Side, his dear friend Elizabeth Cochran, and many cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.
Allan was predeceased by his beloved wife Deborah Side in 2010, and by his parents William Side and Agnes Side (Thomson).
The family offers heartfelt thanks to the support of Dr. Michelle Geddes and the hematology team at Tom Baker Cancer Centre, to the caring staff in Unit 57 and the chemotherapy unit, and to the wonderful staff at Rockyview Day Medicine and Market Mall Pharmacy.
A Celebration of Allan's Life will be held at Valley Ridge Golf Club (11618 Valley Ridge Park NW, Calgary) on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Canadian Blood Services, Phone# 1 888 236-6283 www.blood.ca. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.
In living memory of Allan Side, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.
Offer Condolence for the family of SIDE, Allan W., P.Eng.
Kathryn Cochran
Dear Side Family:
I met Al only once and quickly saw that he was a real gentleman, a delightful person. Your loss is profound. May Al rest in peace.
Charmaine Goodwin
Brady, Amanda and Jennifer and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Allan and Deborah were wonderful people.
My sincerest condolences.
Charmaine Grills (nee Goodwin)
Phyllis & Dave Saunders
To the whole Side family.
Very sad to hear this news. Allan was such a wonderful, intelligent & caring man.
He's left behind many friends & warm memories…the mark of a life well lived.
Our thoughts are with you all.
Doug Green
As a part of a close knit military community, Sylvia and I were friends with Al (and Maggie) during his earlier times in Ottawa, Toronto and later as he settled in Calgary. We have fond memories of his friendship and his sense of humour, and will especially miss his chatty Christmas letters. Rest in Peace Al. And thanks for being part of our gang so many years ago.
Doug and Sylvia Green
Paul R. Palmer (Kamloops, BC)
Allan and I shared much of what we were going through together, cancer treatments, and the loss of a wife. I believe that we had been able to encourage one another with our e-mails back and forth. I have never read an obituary where an individual had so many attributes and talents. May the family take comfort in the "God of all comfort" (2 Corrinthians 1:3,4).
Cathy Pruden (Edmonton)
Jennifer, Brady and Amanda,
I am sorry to hear of your fathers passing and will miss his annual Christmas newsletter with family updates and activities. Your parents were great neighbours of our parents (Nick and Helen Topolnyski) in the old Varsity neighbourhood which is now but a memory. But memories are what we hold dear and you have many wonderful ones to treasure. A lovely obituary, may Al rest in peace. Love to you all.