Allan Guthrie

Allan Langton Guthrie

March 3, 1946  -  September 12, 2022

Guthrie, Allan (“Al”) of Mississauga, ONT, passed away peacefully at Trillium Health Centre at the age of 76 on Monday, September 12 2022.

Al was born March 3, 1946, to parents Cecelia and Theodore Guthrie (predeceased) in Mississauga, Ontario. Allan is survived by his brother, Doug, and daughters Kathleen and Jennifer.

Allan grew up on the family farm, then known as the community of Mineola, in Mississauga, Ontario. With apple orchards to play amongst and to tend to, Allan and his siblings,  Doug, Jane (predeceased) and Bobby (predeceased) would find good-natured mischief at every turn. Whether it was Allan almost burning down the barn with an errant  firecracker or all four siblings lying down on the newly constructed Queen Elizabeth Highway to play chicken with approaching cars, never was there a dull moment with the Guthrie kids.

But it was the season of Christmas that brought the Guthries together to remember  and honour the past, and to celebrate one another. Guthrie shenanigans and other  tales of life on the working farm were regaled loudly and enthusiastically at the annual  Christmas Eve Open-House held at Cecelia’s home in Mississauga. Doug’s wife, Jeannine,  ensured that the egg salad sandwiches she made especially for Allan had no onion in them. His sister Jane’s shortbread cookies were the stuff of legend and something that Allan took great joy in consuming, as did everyone.

The following day Allan and the rapidly growing Guthrie family celebrated Christmas at  his brother Bobby’s home for a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and  homemade apple pie lovingly prepared by Bobby’s wife, Joan. Allan would joke that  the reason he wore jogging pants to Christmas dinner was to allow for extra room on  account of Joan’s outstanding dinners and desserts.

“Uncle Al,” as he was affectionately known to his nieces and nephews, will be remembered for his Christmas gift of buying and handing out lottery and scratch tickets to every member of the family. He would joke that if they won, he would take half of the prize money.

Allan’s brother-in-law, Moe, (Jane) played Santa Claus on Christmas Day with everyone  taking their turn on his lap to receive their gift. Allan delighted in this part of the day  and there was no shortage of family-friendly and not-so-family-friendly jokes and laughs  while sitting on Santa’s lap.

Allan will be greatly missed by daughters, Katheen (Terry), and Jennifer (Jory),  brother Doug (Jeannine), sister in-law Joan, and his many nieces and nephews and their children. A longtime resident and member of the South Common Community Centre and Pool, Al’s presence will be missed at the Centre’s many social gatherings with his close friends; Emila, Winston, Bernie, Peter and Jim.  To know Al was to know that he loved nothing more than a good joke, a hearty laugh,  good food, and a good card game. He always made time for a chat over coffee with his friends.  Allan’s love of music was something that lived in him everyday. Best known to belt out the chorus of his favourite tune (Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, and classic jazz come to mind) especially through the hallways he strolled, as they promised a big echo.  Al’s genuine smile and laughter will be sorely missed by his dear friends; Bob Kollar, Cathy, and Big Bob.

Rest easy, Allan. Your seat at the euchre table is now set. And in the words of your  beloved sister, Jane: Shine, Allan. Shine.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Al’s memory to any of the following charities;  the South Common Community Centre and Pool, and The Humane Society.

A Celebration of Life will be held on:

Thursday, October 6, 2022

from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

The Willow Room

St. John's Dixie, 737 Dundas Street East, Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B5