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Born (Aug 8, 1934) and raised in Victoria, Allan Gordon Brown of Powell River graduated from the University of Kingston and taught writing courses in Ontario and at the Malaspina University College branch in Powell River. Having published poems since 1962, he released numerous titles, more than twenty, including Winter Journey (Quarry Press, 1984) and Divinations (Ekstatis Editions, 1998), as well as chapbooks including Images (Lantzville: Leaf Press, 2002), Biblical Sonatas (Serengeti Press, 2008) and Before the Dark (Leaf 2014) which was dedicated to his longtime wife, Patricia (1932-2011). Following a visit to his hometown, Brown became a contributor to the Island Catholic News for about ten years after he had picked up a copy of the publication in a library. He wrote commissioned reviews for ICN and attended events associated with the paper. Allan Brown died of pancreatic cancer at age 82 on September 13, 2016.
[BCBW 2016] "Poetry"
[BCBW 2016] "Poetry"
Articles: 1 Article for this author
Obit 2016
Born in Victoria, BC, Allan passed away peacefully at home in Powell River after a short struggle with cancer. He was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Pat, on August 14, 2011. Allan is survived by his sister-in-law Philippa Murthy of Santa Monica, California.
Allan was an established Canadian poet, a prolific writer, a teacher and mentor to many. In his lifetime, he published 24 volumes of poetry, 11 chapbooks, one journal and more than 500 literary reviews. He wrote his first poem at age 17.
Allan lived and worked in Kingston, Ontario, for many years before retiring in 1992 to Texada Island for one year and then moving to Powell River. There, he began teaching again at Malaspina College (later Vancouver Island University) and collaborating with the Malaspina Writers Group. "Precision and clarity"; were his guiding principles. He was a good listener. Allan moved through life with a philosophy of acceptance and living in the present "as much as could be tolerated.";
Allan took a deeper interest in writing haiku poetry in his later years. His final book of poetry was Before The Dark, focusing on his wife Pat's passing. It was well reviewed online in the Island Catholic News, where he was a frequent contributor, including theological review essays, as well as poetry and letters.
Allan had a deep love of Victoria, where he spent his first 15 years of life, based on Green Street, where his father had a home and ran a fish wholesale business. His father died suddenly in an automobile accident in Idaho. Allan was with him at the time but survived, the only survivor of four people in the car. Allan's life altered radically at that point, as he had to relocate to Vancouver and live with his mother and her new husband. From that point on his journey into poetry seriously commenced.
Philippa and those close to Allan thank Dr. DuToit, home support staff and the nurses and staff of Powell River General Hospital. There is no service by request.
A celebration of life for Allan will be held on Saturday, October 22, 1 p.m. at the Town Centre Hotel.
