Allan Albert Quesnelle

Allan (known to many as Al) was ‘that guy’ that everyone loved. Kind, patient, generous and wise, he made everyone feel important and welcome - like an old friend - whether you knew him for minutes or decades. He was the sort of person that people wanted to be around.

The youngest of ten, Allan was a farm boy who was born and raised near Penetanguishene. After graduating from high school, he moved to Toronto and began working for Moore Business Forms, the same company he retired from forty years later.

In 1961, he married Avela. While they’d known each other in high school, their romance didn’t blossom until a high school reunion several years later. “I always knew I’d marry her one day though,” he often said. Together, they raised five daughters. After their retirement, they enjoyed travelling together, from Italy to Croatia to Morocco to Australia.

Allan was a proud father and grandfather. For years, he engaged in the ritual of the Saturday morning phone call. Starting at 10am, he would faithfully call each of his daughters (in age order) to get the week’s news and pass it on to the others.

When the grandchildren came along, he put in miles of walking up and down hallways while singing to get them to sleep in his arms. Nobody can get a baby to sleep quite like Pepère could!

Family gatherings were his favourite times and Allan often remarked at how lucky he was that all five of his girls got along and took such great care of him. In truth, we’ve always known that we are the lucky ones!

Above all, Allan was a giver. He wholeheartedly gave of his time, his knowledge and his love. Over the course of his adult life, he volunteered for many causes and in many capacities. He was a school board trustee, a driver for the Cancer Society and an usher and Eucharistic minister at church services at the various parishes where he attended. For years, he volunteered every Saturday night at the Good Shepherd Refuge in Toronto and later, he helped to run a breakfast club for children.

And of course, he gave often and generously to his family, in big and small ways. When his grandson, Steven, was diagnosed with leukaemia at age 3, Allan and Avela volunteered to bring him to Sick Kids Hospital for his many treatments. And then there were the countless hours Allan spent helping his son-in-law Chris on his farm, a job that Allan relished right up until age 80.

Allan was the king of the dad jokes, a savvy euchre player and a loyal fan of the Blue Jays. He floated on the dance floor and had the ability to make any dance partner look good. He had a solid repertoire of silly songs and expressions, which he kindly passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Allan passed away peacefully at home, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Avela; his daughters Theresa (Mike), Julie (Phil), Michele (Chris), Nicole and Andrea (Gary); and his grandchildren Jake, Steven, Leah, Arielle, Alana, Aaron and Xanthe.

Visitation will take place on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 6-8 pm at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 11 am at Our Lady of Grace Church, 15347 Yonge Street, Aurora. Please join the family following the Mass in the main floor lounge at Hadley Grange, 16105 Yonge St. Aurora for fellowship and refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Allan's memory may be made to St. Vincent de Paul - Our Lady of Grace Parish, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/132410671RR0203-society-of-st-vincent-de-paul-our-lady-of-grace-conference/; and Southlake Regional Health Foundation, https://southlake.ca/foundation/about/donate/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Quesnelle family.