Alan Holden

Alan Patrick Holden

August 3^rd, 1950 – August 1^st, 2020

In the early morning hours of August 1^st, 2020 Alan lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis.  He was just two days short of his 70^th birthday.  He passed away at home with his wife and children by his side.  His struggle to breathe is now over.

Alan was born in Winnipeg on August 3^rd, 1950 to his parents Eugene (1985) and Charlotte (Land) (1994).  He is survived by his wife of 48 years Barbara (Rossol) and their two boys Philip & Holly and their children Tyler, Adria, Aubrey & Avery and Neil & Beth and their daughter Penelope.  His children and grandchildren were his life!

Also left to mourn him are his brother Bruce and his wife Gail, Calgary; his sister Beverly Wozny, Dauphin; his brother Richard and his wife Diane, Winnipeg; and his sister-in-law Judy (David) also of Winnipeg.  His brother David predeceased him in December of 2016 also from pulmonary fibrosis.  He also leaves his “other” family Lis & Willi Bauer, Julie & Pat Myrdal, and John & Tammy Rossol.  He was predeceased by Barb’s parents Otto (1994) and Marie (Schiebler) (2001) and her sister Anita Swystun in October of 1998.  Nieces and nephews, Paul, Scott, Todd, Cam, Tricia, Dena, Heather, Angela, Richard, Robert, Cory, Kim, Jillian, Lana and their families will surely miss their Uncle Alan.  He leaves 14 great-nephews and nieces and one great-great niece behind as well.

Alan spent the majority of his working life as a Grain Inspector, first with the Grain Commission in Winnipeg and then transferring to Chatham in June of 1981.  He “retired” from the Grain Commission in 1998 but then found retirement a little too boring and returned to work in the private grain industry for approximately ten years, finally retiring in January of 2016.

Along with Barb and the family he enjoyed 13 plus years of “glamping” at the Great Canadian Hideaway in Parkhill, where he made many good friends.  He will be missed by the “trailer” community as well.

Cremation has taken place, as was his wish, and there will be a short memorial service  at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 60 Stanley Street, Blenheim on Thursday, August 6^th, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation prior to the service at 1:00 p.m.  Please dress casually as Alan absolutely hated wearing a suit!

Due to COVID19, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario has instituted guidelines regarding maximum attendance at visitations and funeral services as well as mandating that everyone in attendance at visitations and funerals must wear a mask.   Please call the Blenheim Community Funeral Home at 519-676-9200 to reserve a spot to attend the visitation or the Funeral Service for Alan.

In lieu of flowers would you please consider donations to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 47 Squire Bakers Lane, Markham, Ontario L3P 3G8; the Chatham-Kent Hospice; or MSF Canada (Doctors Without Borders), 551 Adelaide Street W., Toronto, Ontario M5V 0N8.  These are all charities that Alan supported.