Obituary of Herb Allard

ALLARD, Herbert Arthur

July 21, 1926 - Calgary, Alberta

January 10, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that the family of Herbert A. Allard announce that our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at the Foothills Medical Centre on Monday, January 10, 2022, with his family at his bedside. Herb was a retired Family and Youth Provincial Court Judge.

Herb was born in Calgary, AB, in 1926. Growing up as an impoverished child of the Great Depression, Herb had an honest feel for the street level problems in society. Herb was mentored by many famous Albertans including H.D. Cartwright and Solon Low and was a proud member of the Knights of the Round Table for over sixty years. Herb received his B.A. from the University of Alberta in 1949 and his B.S.W. from the University of British Columbia in 1951.

After a decade as an outstanding child welfare worker and then Chief Probation Officer, in 1959, he was appointed Juvenile and Family Court Judge in Lethbridge. At 33, he was Canada’s youngest Family Court Judge, becoming a Family Court Judge in Calgary in 1961. Herb reluctantly retired in 1996 but continued to stay active and involved. Herb received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Calgary in 1997 which was a proud moment for him and his family. He enjoyed being a marriage commissioner after retiring.

Herb was a founding member of Alberta Mental Health Association, John Howard Society, Canadian Association of Social Workers, Alberta Probation Officers’ Association, Calgary Big Sister Association, and Calgary Girls’ Town. He was a President of the Alberta Association of Provincial Court Judges and an Executive of the Canadian Association of Family Court Judges. He was a Board member and advisor to Hull Home, Pastoral Institute, United Church Board of Social Services, Hi-C teen clubs, Council of Social Agencies, Community Chest, Canadian Welfare Council, Canadian Corrections Association. He volunteered with numerous service groups providing support to children and youth.

Herb had a prodigious mind and could discuss infinite topics including economics, the arts, history, religion, and politics. He liked to say he was “born talking”.

Herb married his wife Heath Paynter at Shangri-La in 1949 and lived all his life in Mount Pleasant. Herb started working at a very young age and supported his widowed mother until her passing.

First and foremost a compassionate man, his life’s work was to make a difference, and he did, touching the lives of so many. He had an ability to think beyond the traditional cloisters of the law while never taking himself too seriously.

Herb leaves behind his grieving children, daughter Julie Bray (Jim) son Ross Allard (Jennifer); three grandchildren, David (Katrina), Lisa (Joshua), and James Avramenko; and two great-grandchildren, Zoe and Maverick. Herb was predeceased by his father Horace, mother Mary, brother Stanley, and wife Heath.

Herb said he was “the luckiest guy in the world, he had a job he loved, a good family, a good life, love, great teachers, and friends.”

“To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die.”

At Herb’s request, he will be cremated, and his remains placed at his parent’s grave. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed on Herb’s obituary at McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Administrative Office, 306-10430 61 Avenue NW, Edmonton AB T6H 2J3. Tel: (1-866) 950-5465, www.alzheimer.ab.ca or the Calgary Humane Society, 4455 110th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2C 2T7. Tel: (403) 723-6000, https://secure2.convio.net/chs/site/Donation2;jsessionid=FAEE90DBAC7D3ACA6D2F0EDFA5CDDC1F.app260a?1400.donation=form1&df_id=1400

In living memory of Herbert Allard, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.