Dec 19, 1932 - Feb 17, 2018
Alan Coulter passed away at his home in Cranbrook, BC, at peace with himself and the world after a long adventurous life.
Alan grew up in Stranraer, Saskatchewan, later taking over the family farm. His childhood was filled with baseball, hockey, curling and jazz music. He got a mail order trumpet at age 16, and went on to play in bands which always included one or all of his three brothers. He met Patricia Bramley-Moore on a blind date in Edmonton - they married, moved back to the farm, and raised four children. In the 1970s, Alan was introduced to the politics of agriculture, and became part of the movement to help bring the industry into the modern era. This started a lifelong love of politics. He ran for Parliament, and worked for the federal ministry of agriculture, always with the interest of farmers in mind.
Alan was a man of enthusiastic passions. He loved flying, motorcycling, travelling, curling, and storytelling. He followed the fortunes of the Blue Jays and Roughriders with great fervour. Music especially gave him great joy throughout his life. After the untimely death of his wife Pat and the sale of the farm in 1993, he moved to Cranbrook, a community he came to love deeply.
He met Lillian Andrews who matched his passion for sports and adventure. They were together for 20 years. Alan's autobiography "As Time Goes By" was published in 2014, which revealed to his family and many friends his own insights and details of the remarkable life he led.
Alan is predeceased by his wife Pat and his brothers Doug and Laurence. He is survived by his partner Lill, his children Glen (Roberta), Barry (Trish), Cathy (Jim) and David, his grandchildren Eleanor, Graham and Suzanne and his brother Don.
A gathering to celebrate Alan's life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. at the recreation centre at 1401 Willowbrook Drive, Cranbrook.