Alan Hay McDougall

Alan McDougall passed away peacefully on June 29, 2023 at the age of 92 years at the Midtown Care Home in Weyburn, SK.

He was predeceased by his parents Hugh and Hellen (Hay) McDougall; sister Alice Latta; brothers-in-law, Alexander Latta Jr. and Gary McIntosh; and his nephew Alex Latta III.

Alan is survived by his sister Shirley McIntosh; his nieces: Shirley Bergen, Kathy Latta, Laurie Beaton, Shauna Orrell, Carol Latta, Donna McIntosh, Diana Foster and Debbie McIntosh; as well as many grand nieces and grand nephews.

We are here to honour and celebrate the life of one special to us all, Alan Hay McDougall. 

Brother to Shirley, Uncle to eight, once was nine nieces and nephew, as well as good friends in the communities of Tribune, Weyburn and Calgary.

We offer Alan escort to his final resting place at Colgate Cemetery.  His parents Hugh and Hellen; brothers Ian and Kenneth; along with many neighbors and friends rest in nearby graves.

I would like to offer the following prayer.

 Grant us strength in our sorrow,

Comfort in the time that we had with Alan.

Mourning passes and life goes on.

Different, yet sweet.

We honour the memories and find joy in knowing that

Your eternal care is ever-close to the one we love.  Amen

Alan was a humble and gracious man, often helping others by fixing things or helping around as needed.  He traveled back and forth to help with seeding or harvest on the family farm, making the trip from Calgary to Weyburn frequently.  He provided for tomorrow with financial support to many charities, giving hope to many people needing a helping hand. 

He liked recycling and reusing and was proficient at fixing things retrieved from various sources.  In summers, he haunted garage sales, flea markets and garbage dumps.  I have been on some of these adventures and one time, found a brand new tined rake that was missing just a handle.  I had a handle that I was saving and felt quite pleased with my find.  Many of the bicycles retrieved from dumpster heaven provided him with handy locomotion in good weather.  When one was stolen, he remarked that whoever took it must have needed it worse than him and went out looking for a replacement to fix up.

He had a sly wit.  We passed a fellow on the street and he pointed to him, saying that he often saw him in court...but he was usually wearing handcuffs.  Another time, we were trying to find a park northeast of Weyburn.  Our navigator took us miles out of our way with several wrong turns on the back roads.  His comment was that “we might be in Manitoba, by now.”  Another zinger!

Pouring over family albums this past week, we came across a newspaper article picturing Alan age ten driving a team of horses hauling 3 wagon loads of grain up the ramp of the elevator.  A lot of responsibility for such a young lad.  This would have been just two years following the untimely death of his father.

Known to be resourceful and independent! Quiet in demeanor, not one to toot his own horn,  Even as late as last winter he told me a job he had which I found to be quite interesting.  Hired as a carpenter he and others were involved with working with wood lathes to make up the forms of dinosaurs for the Tyrell Museum in Alberta.  We are going to miss him and I for one would have loved to hear more stories.  No longer possible, we will miss him.

I would like to offer in closing a prayer. 

Lord,

We remember Our loved one, Alan, whose memory is a comforting embrace for us today.  A life fulfilled, no longer caught up in the earthly struggle.  Eternity is a restful place.  Joy is theirs.  We pray that until the day comes and we are joined in the great beyond, that there will only be gladness in the memories we hold dear of this deserving soul.

Thank you for sharing this moment with me.

Eulogy given by niece: Kathy Latta.

As per Alan’s wishing, there will be no funeral service.  A Private Family Interment will be held at Colgate Cemetery, Colgate, SK. 

In lieu of flowers, for family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in Alan’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

Family would like to thank doctors and staff at Weyburn General Hospital, Tatagwa View, University Hospital Audiology Department and St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.

We would also like to extend our thanks to the staff at Midtown Care Home for providing compassionate care to Alan in the last few weeks of his life. 

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