Dennis Rae Allin
February 3rd, 1948 ~ February 16th, 2022
“Den”, “Denny”, “Tex”, “Dad”, “Grampa Ya Ya”. He had many different names and meant different things to different people, but each of those labels were always synonymous to the kindest soul with character and integrity. He had the most amazing, unique, philosophical & spiritual perspective on life.
Relationships were all that really mattered to Dad. Of course, relationships with his family and friends but anyone from the clerk at the grocery store to the police officer who issued him a speeding ticket. He ALWAYS gave people his time. He loved to know not only where people were from or about their background, but also who they were. He never judged, he never degraded, he was the wind beneath many of our wings. He continued to challenge us all and inspired us to dream big. He was always a teacher, a student, a counselor, and our greatest supporter.
Dad loved deeply so the pain of losing him is equal. He was a grateful man. Even the last few weeks while in the hospital, he made it his home. He repeatedly said, “I’m a happy man”. He was comfortable, but he also knew pain was a part of life and he accepted that. He was very well cared for, and he was a constant example of integrity and grace. He had relationships with everyone he encountered. He was given the gift of TIME, and in that time, it gave him the opportunity to communicate with many. He treasured every interaction and conversation.
Dad always had a great sense of humour; he loved a practical joke and would go to great lengths to have them succeed. With a “Yes!” and an arm pull after completion. He had a story for everyone he knew. He was always our ‘go-to’ guy with a wealth of information and a curiosity that he explored with tenacity. Numbers, patterns & puzzles were his thing and his mind worked at a higher level.
His grandkids were his most treasured assets. He spoke so much about their individuality and reveled in their character and uniqueness. Nothing thrilled him more than those interactions. He loved to watch them as they played sports. Whether it be a ball diamond, a rink, or a gym, he cherished the moments and the opportunity to watch them grow and thrive. He also enjoyed the many quiet (or not so quiet) gatherings shared with family. He was happy to be so close to be able to ‘pop in’ whenever he could.
He was always wanting to know how we were, throughout the years, giving each of us the time we needed. More recently, he would ask every day “How are YOU today?” always encouraging even through tears for you to respond with “Great”, followed with expressing “I’m happy to hear that” …It’s all he wanted for us. To Live. To Love. To be Happy.
Leaving behind in his wake are so many. Some we may never know as he spoke to everyone he encountered with the same respect and dignity that each of us deserve. Young, old, rich, poor, it mattered not your appearance, your lifestyle, your age, or your opinions. He met people where they were in life and accepted you as you were, he didn’t want more or less from anyone, and he welcomed everyone. We’ve learned so much more about Dad in these last several weeks. Dear friendships and acts of kindness from people that he never shared with us. Some people we’ve never met before said they considered him family. He didn’t do things to be recognized. Always treated people the way he wanted to be treated. He taught us all so much. We are all better humans for being touched by his beautiful soul.
He made us all MORE…
MORE Patient
MORE Worthy
MORE Grateful
MORE Forgiving
MORE Respectful
MORE Understanding
And for that we are Grateful.
Dad’s soul will always remain with his children, Jay & Tara (Pat); his grandchildren, Jerica, Justin, Jax, Jacob & Jorgia, Olivia & Cassie, (special family member, Charlotte); siblings, Ed (Jacki), Pam (Les), Gail (Joe), & Cindy (Doug); along with many extended family members & dear friends.
A special thank you to the nurses, doctors & staff on Unit 32 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, this was Dad’s ‘home’ for the final few weeks of his life. Many compassionate and gracious people that we will forever hold close.
Our hearts will hurt for a long time as we miss your physical presence, your listening ear, your words of wisdom, your candor, and your humor. But we know you are always with us eternally in spirit no matter where we are. Enjoy your next life, Dad. Thank you so much for being part of ours in this one.
Messages:
Tara, Jay and family, our deepest sympathies are with all of you. Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with so many of us. He was a kind, caring and Special man, who gave everyone his full attention. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to work with him and to get to know him as a friend. I feel like I know most of you just by the stories he told us and the Evident Love he had for you. Cherish the memories of him and know that he can now rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Every once in a while,the world is graced with a exceptionally special person,and your dad was one of those people. The lives of those who were lucky enough to know him are forever changed for the better. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Condolences to the Allin families. Your description of him in the obituary was spot on ! My Mom sure held the Allin family in high esteem .
So sorry to hear of Dennis' passing. Sympathy to all the families.
Jay and Tara and the Allin families Our sincere condolences, he was a great friend and buddy, thinking of you.
We were deeply saddened to learn of your Dad’s passing,Tara. I am one of the many cousins on the Houseman side of Dennis’s family. In your sorrow, may there be peace. Our heartfelt thought are with you.
Your tribute to your Dad says it all…he will definitely be missed! Cherish your memories always!
With deepest condolences to all the Allin families! Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time!
Dennis always made people feel special..truly a nice man.My condolences to the family. Carol Gustafson
We are VERY Sorry to hear this!!!! Our deepest Condolences to all the families!!!! We worked with Dennis for a few years and we learned to appreciate his talents!!!! After reading your writings...you spoke from the heart....and keep appreciating that you had those opportunities!!! BIG HUGS!!!!!
Please accept my sincere sympathies for the lose of a great gentleman. He was always so soft spoken and I loved to hear him laugh. He was my accountant for a number of years and I really appreciated his wisdom. Thanks Dennis for being in my life when I needed you most.
I spent very little time with Denis. He was kind, spiritually connected and highly intelligent. He definitely was an exceptional person.
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your dad. Dennis was always so friendly to everyone he met and his loss will truly be felt by everyone who knew him.
My sincere condolences to the entire Allin Family on the passing of Dennis. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathy to you all. Cherish all your memories during this dark time.
My sincere condolences to all the families that Dennis left behind. Your Dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother and uncle has left many precious memories to help you through the days ahead. He was a one of a kind man and he will be remembered by many as a generous, kind, gentle and loving man. My prayers will be with you.
So sorry to hear of your Dads passing. Condolences to you all. Gwen.
Jay and Tara and family: Sending you love and condolences. We remember your Dad just as you expressed. His suffering is over. Your hearts are full of his love. Take care.
We work at the Canada Post Retail Outlet located at the Red Deer Mail Processing Plant. Dennis always stopped in to chat with us after picking up his mail from his PO box; most weeks he'd be in every 2 days. Usually if we hadn't seen Dennis after 3 days, we'd say to each other: "He'll be in tomorrow." We didn't think of Dennis as simply a customer, he was our friend. We talked about anything and everything with Dennis. We miss Dennis' easy-going nature, his humor, his wisdom, his kindness, and his numerous stories about growing up on the farm. We also remember with great fondness when Dennis used to be concerned that the closing shift used to be staffed by only one clerk, who had to work by herself for an hour. Guess who used to come pick up his mail during that hour, and make sure that the lone clerk was okay? Dennis truly and genuinely cared about everyone, and when he encountered a new staff member here, it didn't take long before he was talking to her as if he'd known her forever! Dennis, your big-hearted presence is missed by all of us. Patti Le and Karla Huff, as well as all past Retail Staff at the Red Deer Corporate Outlet who had the honor and privilege to have been befriended by such an exceptional person.