Allen Cowan

COWAN, Allen Fredrick—On Saturday, December 24, 2022, Fay lost the love of her life whom she met in grade 9 and dated thru High School. Allen passed away peacefully with his sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Fay, and daughter Stephanie by his side, at Andy’s House-Hospice Muskoka in Port Carling. Devoted father to Jackie (Rick) and Stephanie. Cherished grandfather to Devin.

Dear brother of Lynda Kirk, and brother-in-law to Tim Schell (Olive). Pre-deceased by his sister Gwen Barnes and brother Larry. Loved uncle of, Kevin (Diane), Blaine (Sherry), Ed (Shirley), Leah, Brian (Helen), Cathy (Tony), Bernie (Natalie), and the late Krista. He will be dearly missed by many great-nieces and great-nephews

Allen was a vendor emeritus of the Gravenhurst Farmers Market where he enjoyed discussing and showing everyone stones from around the world. He especially enjoyed making jewellery, tumbling, and polishing stones he had found on his travels with his family.

Allen was an avid photographer and especially liked taking pictures of nature and his travels. He travelled in the 1950s through Canada, the United States, and Central America. He also went to New Zealand, where he worked as a chef. He was a skilled horseman and worked as a gaucho in Argentina. In the summers, he would work at the Calgary stampede as a chef for all the Cowboys.

Allen enjoyed the beautiful surroundings while working at his parents' Marina at Cowan‘s Landing and witnessed the first pay phone installation in the area at their store for people needing help on the roadside. He also enjoyed working at Gravette’s where he and his father built old craft wooden boats. He was an award-winning fisherman and spent many hours making fly-fishing lures.

Allen worked with the original Colonel Sanders and had yearly dinners with him in Toronto with his wife Fay.

He also worked for many years as a butcher in Gravenhurst.

Allen had a great passion for animals and birdwatching, and he always participated in the annual bird count. He always insured the grasslands around his area would benefit the endangered species and he saw many different frogs, turtles, birds, bears, wolves, foxes, beavers, and many other animals which thrived.

Allen was an avid reader and a jokester. He always had a kind word or story to tell. He was a vibrant and energetic conversationalist with a joke to lift everyone’s spirits.

Allen was a bright light that will be forever in our hearts.

Thank you to the Doctors and staff at the Bracebridge Hospital and the lovely caring people at Andy’s House Hospice in Port Carling for their care and understanding for both Allen and his family.

Allen donated his time and energy collecting donations for his favourite charities. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Wildlife Federation would be appreciated and may be arranged online or through Cavill Funeral Home.

Friends are invited to join the family for a graveside service to be held on Wednesday, April 26 at 1:00 PM at Mickle Memorial Cemetery, Lofty Pines Dr., Gravenhurst. Reception to follow at Gravenhurst Seniors Centre, 480 First St N, Gravenhurst, ON.