After a full life on this earth, Allan Henry Owen was reunited with his wife Mary and parents, Betty Irene and Percy Leroy in God’s Kingdom on August 18, 2026 at the age of 95.
He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his two daughters, Wendy (Rod) of Sidney B.C, and Donna (Alex) of Edmonton AB; four grandchildren, Michael (Michelle), Katie (Benjamin), Samuel (Avery), Maxwell (Victoria); five great-grandchildren, Gracie, Georgia, Atley, Brooklyn, Harrison; his brother Oliver (Jackie), as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, long time friends and the business community.Al was born in the town of Vilna, Alberta in 1931. A lifelong learner who represented the pioneering and enterprising spirit that built Canada. Hisentrepreneurial accomplishments never ceased to amaze. Always challenginghimself from road construction, to concrete, the first automated concrete plant in Edmonton, to lumber, the first Orientated Strand Board plant in Edson, the Hotel Industry, Industrial manufacturing and his final endeavor, boat building (Wendon Yachts) o n Vancouver Island. For Al, technical background was not a prerequisite, rather the ability to analyze the situation, to become fully knowledgeable, surround himself with quality people, and to get the outcomeaccomplished. It was the joumey that captivated his energy, not the end. He thrived on the challenge. He was never shy to make a decision. Al’s rule in life; “If you have nothing to do, find a shovel and dig a hole”. Work was the engine that drove him.
Al believed in giving back to community groups, employees, young enterprisers, post secondary institutions and hospitals. Al looked for ways to reinvest in the people and future of the province. He advanced patient care at the University of Alberta Hospital through his generous support of three major areas of patient care; stroke, neurology and gastroenterology. He established an endowment fund a t the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology that would grant scholarships to second year students in the Forest Technology Program. There are many memories of his early days volunteering with Sherbrooke Community League in Edmonton, where he bought his first house and raised a family. He coached hockey and had a long run at coaching his daughters in women’s softball. Many lifelong friends were established through community. *I think you’re probably going to be measured by what you do for society, not what you take from society…and society has been awfully good to me” (AI Owen)
Al’s passion for work never extinguished. Retirement was not a word in his vocabulary. His thirst for creating projects could not be quenched. *It you live, you have time*. He was still creating projects he felt needed to be completed at his house in North Saanich at the age of 95, where he was able to live till the very end. You can guess these projects included copious amounts of concrete. Al refused to give into issues of health and aging. He knew one needed a purpose to keep going.
The family wishes to sincerely thank his caregiver Tetiana and Comfort Care Agency for all their loving care over the past 8 months. This allowed Al to live a full independent life at home. We also want to thank Dr Gallagher at Shoreline Medical Clinic and San Penn Hospital.
It is difficult to summarize the life of such a remarkable man, but those that knew him, would agree, he was an ‘enigma’, a self-made man who made an impact on many lives and took pride in all he tackled to accomplish.
He will live on through our memories and reminders; a cabin made of walls clad in Orientated Strand Board, a Wendon Yacht on the water, the named clinics at the University of Alberta Hospital, the many pictures and articles that profiled his life, and countless stories of a life well lived.
Al will be returned home to Edmonton where a private family gathering will be held at a later date. There is so much history for our family to reflect upon as we are forever grateful for the life lessons he instilled in us all. He will live on eternally as he has been in the background of so many lives for so long. Please celebrate the memory of Allan Henry Owen in your own way, as he will be with us all in spirit.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the NAIT A.H. Owen Endowment Fund, honoring his legacy in support of students enrolled in Sustainable Forestry Management and Engineering at http://nait.ca/AHOwen