OBITUARY
ALLAN SYDNEY MCGILL
February 1, 1922 – November 24, 2018
Allan Sydney McGill, born at Smithers, BC, February 1, 1922, died at Crofton Manor Retirement Residence, Vancouver, on November 24, 2018. Wish him calm seas and a smooth crossing. He is survived by Jessie, his beloved wife of 72 years, and their three sons Hunter (Jane), Peter (Vesna), and Christopher (Barbara) and cherished grandchildren Alexander and Stephanie (Kayla). He was predeceased by his sisters Joan and Muriel.
Allan grew up in Vancouver and attended Lord Byng High School. In the course of four years’ service in the RCAF during World War II he rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant as a Fighter Control Officer with 83 Group Control centre in Northwest Europe. After the war he obtained an honours degree in economics from the University of British Columbia.
From 1948 to 1977 Allan was a foreign service officer in the Department of External Affairs. He served abroad at posts in South Africa, India and Japan and later as High Commissioner for Canada to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, and finally as High Commissioner to Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Between foreign assignments, Allan held a succession of positions in Ottawa, including that of Private Secretary to the Right Hon. Lester B. Pearson from 1954 to 1957, when Mr Pearson won the Nobel Peace prize for his role in establishing the first United Nations Peacekeeping Force. Allan served also as Senior Assistant to the Hon. Paul Martin Sr and to the Hon. Mitchell Sharp when they were Canada’s Foreign Ministers between 1967 and 1970. He was Director General for Africa and the Middle East in Ottawa from 1972 to 1974 and Inspector General of the Foreign Service in 1977.
After retiring from External Affairs, Allan, with Jessie at his side, built a house and notable garden on the outskirts of Abbotsford, BC, and devoted himself to gardening, nature and community service. He was an active member of the MSA Museum Society, served on its board of directors and contributed much to the development of Trethewey House Heritage Site. He was a continuing generous supporter of Abbotsford Community Services and served on its board of directors. For many years he was president of the Pinegrove Garden Club and a leading spirit in the local gardening community, always ready to share his knowledge and plants. As an observer of nature he contributed, with many others, reports of bird sightings and nesting to the definitive work “The Birds of British Columbia.” He was a member of the BC Naturalists, the BC Waterfowl Society and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, among the many organizations he supported.
Allan was proud of his service to his country in peace and war, enjoyed 72 years of happy family life in partnership with his beloved Jessie, and faced his end with equanimity.
Donations in Allan’s memory may be made to the Union Gospel Mission.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of ALLAN SYDNEY MCGILL 2018..
Death notice for the town of: north-Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique