Obituary of Alan Duffield Brown

November 18, 1936 - Glasgow, Scotland
February 13, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Alan Brown, beloved husband of Shirley Brown, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at the age of 85 years.

Alan was born to David and Christina Brown on November 18, 1936, in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up with an older sister, Rachel (Ray). In 1946, the family moved to Edinburgh, where Alan would later meet his future wife, Shirley. They were married on August 18, 1958. Before settling down to raise a family, Alan and Shirley cycled all over Scotland every chance they could, riding for hours during the day and staying in youth hostels at night. Their two children, David and Evelyn, were both born in Edinburgh. On family jaunts, Alan always took his camera, taking pictures of flowers, landscapes and, occasionally, his family. Alan apprenticed in the printing industry and obtained his Master Printer certification. At 16, he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) rated as a Boy Watcher, at 19 he served two years in the Royal Navy. Afterwards, Alan was in the Royal Navy Reserve for seven years, during which he spent time in the Mediterranean. He started his Navy career as a telegraphist and then became a diver. Alan was promoted from the ranks and rose to rank of Lieutenant. In 1968, the young family emigrated to Canada and settled in Calgary.

Alan was a life-long student, always dabbling in a number of different interests. A few years after arriving in Calgary, he started his own professional photography studio, then he went into selling commercial and residential real estate, after which time he was a Financial Planner, before working for Canada Post. Personally, he pursued his passion of photography, especially capturing images of flowers. On family hikes, Shirley and the kids would leave him behind with his camera and tripod. His interest in botany led him to self-publish his own book – An Easy Guide to Canadian Rockies Wildflowers – From Kananaskis to the Kootenays. Later in life, Alan’s earlier interests in photography allowed him to expand into modern digital technologies, like digital cameras, video editing, scanning, Photoshop enhancing and file archiving. He spent hours scanning and cataloging a historical collection of photographs for future preservation, many of which were used in a recently published book.

Alan always kept his spirit of adventure and travel. He seldom let anyone else sit behind the wheel. Alan and Shirley started camping with their kids and relatives pulling a small utility trailer. As the years went by, they purchased a larger travel trailer and then graduated to a motor home. They travelled extensively throughout western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. He was always willing to go quadding up in the mountains whenever he had the chance. Like with the car, he always drove the quad. Alan and Shirley took each of their grandkids on an unbelievable holiday abroad. In the summer and fall, Alan and Shirley loved to hike, and hiking was always a big part of any trip. In the winter, they cross country skied. When he was not busy with his hobbies and travel, Alan was always willing to lend a hand with family projects. He completely framed-in a basement for one of his grandkids, and he did a lot of work, including electrical wiring, at his daughter’s property in BC.

The family would like to thank and express appreciation to the dedicated, compassionate caregivers at Sage Hill Retirement Residence for taking good care of Alan.

Alan will be loving remembered by his wife, Shirley, his children, David (Deborah) Brown and Evelyn (Michael) Cone, his grandchildren, Monica Brown and Stuart Brown, Peter (Nicole) Cone and James Cone.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, AB T6E 6K2 Telephone: 1 (888) 566 – 5864.  www.ab.lung.ca. 

In living memory of Alan Brown, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.