Forrester, Allen Bryan (Died)

Allen Bryan Forrester, 77, of Ostrander, Ontario, passed away peacefully, December 5, 2021, at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, after a battle with cancer.

Allen was born to parents Harold and Jennie Forrester and raised on a dairy farm near Mallorytown, Ontario. He obtained his BA from Queen's University and his teaching certificate from University of Western Ontario. His long- term career was in the municipal sector working for rural Townships, including the former Township of West Oxford and then the amalgamated Township of South-West Oxford, where he worked 35+ years before retiring as the Clerk-Treasurer Administrator in 2009.

Allen believed in the importance of family, friends and community. He was a long-time member of the Dereham Lodge 624, Dereham District Lions Club and over the past 12 years served as an executive member of the Mount Elgin Community Centre Board.

Al played ball in the Mount Elgin Community, as well as hockey in local arenas and cycled hundreds of miles to raise money for Dereham District Lions charities. Although he didn't like to cook, he loved to help out at fundraising dinners at the Mount Elgin Community Centre and was the first to purchase tickets for fundraising events put on by other groups.

Al was a kind and gentle person who loved the simplicity of life, the beauty of nature, meals shared with family and friends, watching hockey, baseball and football and playing a relaxed game of golf. He was an avid reader and had a large collection of books, including his favourite subject the politics of war, in particular World War II.

He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Jennie Forrester, as well as his brother George (Norah). He is survived by his brothers Brian and Bruce (Cathy) and his sister Lorna (Brian); Nephew Jeff and nieces Charlene, Jana, Andrea and Elizabeth, as well as three great nieces, one great nephew and four great great nieces.

In keeping with Allen's expressed wishes, cremation has taken place. In the spring of 2022, a Celebration of Allen's Life will be organized at the Mount Elgin Community Centre, where relatives, neighbours, Dereham District Lions Club and Dereham Lodge members and friends will be encouraged to attend. Friends, neighbours, and relatives are welcomed to offer their support and care by sharing special memories, personal condolences, and photos via Allen's online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the "Mount Elgin Community Centre" (payable by cheque) or to the "Canadian Cancer Society" would be appreciated by the family and can be made by contacting the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes- Burial and Cremation Services Inc., 262 Broadway, Tillsonburg (519)842-4238, entrusted with all arrangements, with confidence.

"Thank you to the wonderful Doctors and Nurses at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, 2nd South, for their excellent care of and compassion for Allen."