September 15, 1931 - May 20, 2025
Our dear husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather’s music was silenced on May 20, 2025.
Allan’s life was rich with music, family, a good sense of humour, and a knack for getting things done. Born in Strome, Alberta on September 15, 1931, Allan was the youngest of six children born to Edward and Elsie Thorp. At the age of six, his family moved to Woodpecker BC, where he grew up, working on the farm and going to school. After graduating from the Woodpecker school at grade eight, he moved to Prince George to continue high school.
His first job was repairing electronics at Doc’s Radio Clinic, then to Prince George Bakery, Rose’s Ice Cream, Canadian Propane and then to his final career: in 1957 Allan hired on at the Westcoast Transmission Company and he stayed with the company until he retired in 1994. He worked his way up from wheelbarrow operator to Manager of the Southern District of BC.
Allan was passionate about music from a young boy, playing the harmonica and accordion. He and some friends formed a western dance band called the Hub City 4 for which he was the drummer. His love of music led to him to the love of his life when, in 1951 while playing at a wedding, Allan met Gladys. He and Gladys married on October 2, 1954, and the couple were blessed with four children: Candace, Darold, Gordon, and Melvin.
In 1968 Allan and Gladys purchased a cabin at Summit Lake where the family spent their summer vacations. Allan and Gladys spent a good deal of time there over the years: all of his kids and grandkids benefited from the life skills Allan shared with them, including water safety, being fire smart, the ability to appreciate and respect nature, and the understanding that life can be very good even without electricity! There were many great trips with the river boat and lots of swimming.
Allan was part of the original DIY generation. He learned at an early age to be self-sufficient and had many skills he put to good use. He built his and Gladys’s first family home from scratch. If you needed help repairing something he was your go-to guy. Plumbing, electrical and gas fitting issues? He could help. Build a fence that was solid and straight? He was on it! He restored old trucks, and, of course, there was the riverboat: Allan made it from scratch from plans given him by Dick Corless who used to run supplies to northern communities by boat before the Hart Hwy was built. But he made time for fun as well. His kids may not have gone on a lot of road trips—but river trips were part of our growing up and he always had stories to share along the way. He curled, bowled, went fishing, travelled and was hard to beat in a game of horseshoes!
Allan’s love of music didn’t stop after his time playing drums for the Hub City 4 band. In his senior years, he played with the Country Cousins band. The Country Cousins played at a variety of locations including senior care facilities and community events throughout Prince George. Even when it became more difficult to play his accordion, his family members still enjoyed phone calls from him so he could play and sing “Happy Birthday.”
In addition to music, he was very active at the Elder Citizens Recreation Association (ECRA) where he performed in the drama club and choir. He was also a proud member of the Prince George Gyro Club, serving as President in 1994. Allan was a firm believer that a stranger was only a friend you haven’t met yet. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a deep sense of responsibility—perhaps began when he was 19 and helping to support his ailing parents, who he ended up claiming as dependents on his tax return—and this sense of responsibility and care continued to shape him for the rest of his life. He took his music to senior homes to provide entertainment and made himself available to help family, friends and colleagues with many and varied projects.
Allan loved gardening and enjoyed sharing his bountiful crop with family and friends. He enjoyed spending time in the garden and took a lot of pleasure from watching and feeding the birds and squirrels that shared his and Gladys’s property. He took pride in maintaining the many cedar shrubs in the yard and over the years fielded questions from passers by asking who he hired to do the job as they always looked so nice.
Allan and Gladys celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past October. Although he had many physical challenges, his mind was as sharp as ever and he continued to be available for advice and the sharing of stories as well as rejoicing each time the family grew.
Allan is survived by his wife Gladys, and their children: Candace (Dave), Darold (Kristen), Gordon, and Melvin (Louise). Their children gave them ten grandchildren, many who gave them great-grandchildren: Rebekah (Jordon), and their children Caleb, Micaiah, Ava, and Elsie; Kaitlin (Jeremy) with Kaila and Desmond; Benjamin (Melanie) with Isabella, Sebestian, Sterling, and Solomon; Ruth (James) with Rose, Henry, William, and Violet; Darrell (Kayla); Alison (Matthew) with Harrison, Gillis, and Levi; Scott; Danielle (Walker); Robert; and Hunter. Allan was very proud of his family and made every attempt to be there for the milestones of their lives, but he also cherished everyday visits and loved chatting on the phone.
He will be missed but left us with many wonderful memories and stories to pass along. We will remember him whenever we see a woodpecker, a particularly great crop of raspberries, hear an accordion played, or enjoy a vanilla ice cream cone.
Memorial Service: June 20, 2025 at 11:00 am Assman’s Funeral Chapel Prince George, BC Reception to follow
In lieu of flowers, donations to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada would be appreciated.